Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 1 of 3

THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH ~,@@d$&Z (Vol-1) 541
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man from the Banu Ghitfaan later informed us that some people from the
Ghitfaan tribe passed by him and he slaughtered a camel for them. However, they
were still busy skinning the animal when they saw a dust trail. They then left the
camel as it were and fled for their lives.
The next morning, Rasulullaah @@ announced, 'Our best cavalryman is Abu
Qataadah and our best infantryman is Salama.' Rasulullaah @@ then gave me
the share of a cavalryman as well as the share of an infantryman. As we
returned to Madinah, Rasulullaah @@ seated me behind him on his camel
Adhbaa. Eventually all that was left of the journey equalled the distance travelled
between sunrise and midmorning. Amongst us was a person from the Ansaari
who was undefeated in a road race. He started to announce, 'Is there anyone to
race? Will anyone race me to Madinah?" He repeated himself several times as I
was seated behind Rasulullaah 68%. I said to him, 'Don't you respect any
honourable person or fear any respectable person?' The Ansaari said, 'I care for
none after Rasulullaah s@.' Thereupon, I said, '0 Rasulullaah @@! May my
parents be sacrificed for you! Permit me to race him.' Rasulullaah @@ replied, 'If
you wish.' 1 said to the man, 'I am on my way.' He jumped off his camel. I doubled
up my legs and also jumped from the camel.
(We then started the race) I initially held myself back for one or two hills (so that
he could run ahead) and then I ran faster until I caught up with him and hit my
hands between his shoulders. I said something like, 'By Allaah! I have beaten
you.' He laughed and said, 'I think so too.' We then reached Madinah." A
narration of Muslim adds that Hadhrat Salama SGWj said, "I then beat him to
Madinah. We had not even stayed three days in Madinah when we marched for
Khaybar." (I)
The Bravery of Hadhrat Abu Hadrad Aslami ~,G=
He Fights and Defeats Two Men
Hadhrat Abu Hadrad W%G says, "I married a woman from my tribe and agreed
to give her a dowry of two hundred Dirhams. I then approached Rasulullaah @&%
for some financial assistance for my marriage. 'How much did you agree to pay
her as dowry?' asked Rasulullaah @@. 'Two hundred Dirhams,' I replied.
'Subhaanallaah!' exclaimed Rasulullaah @@ (thinking it to be too much for
someone like myself), 'Had you married any lady from the town, you would not
have had to pay so much (they demand higher because she is from your tribe). I
swear by Allaah that I have nothing to assist you with.'
I then stayed like that for a few days when a man from the Jusham bin Mu'aawiya
tribe arrived with a large group from the Jusham tribe and others and camped at
a place called Ghaaba (close to Madinah). His name was either Rifaa'ah bin Qais
or Qais bin Rifaa'ah and he was a prominent person amongst the Jusham tribe.
His intention was to rally the Qais tribe to fight against Rasulullaah @@.
Rasulullaah @@ then summoned me and two other Muslims and instructed us
(I) Ahmad, as quoted in A/Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.4 Pg.152).