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

542 THE LlVES OF THE SAHABAH @,G!@$>(Vol-1)
saying, 'Go to this man and gather any information you can.' Rasulullaah
then gave us a frail and old camel. When even one of us mounted her, she was
unable to stand because of her weakness, it was only with the assistance of
several men supporting her from behind that she was able to stand. Rasulullaah
f&%$
said, You will reach there on her.'
(With the blessing of Rasulullaah @@'s du'aa, Allaah gave her the strength and
we rode her) We left with our weapons, which included arrows and swords and
reached their camp as the sun was setting. As I hid in a corner, I instructed my
two companions to hide in another corner of the camp. 1 then said to them,
'When you hear me shout, 'Wlaahu Akbar' as I attack them, you two should also
shout 'Allaahu Akbar' and attqck with me.' By Allaah! We then sat waiting for an
opportunity to attack when they became unmindful. The night covered us until
there was only darkness. There was a shepherd of theirs who had gone out to
graze the flocks and had not yet returned. They feared for his life and their leader
Rifaa'ah bin Qais stood up and hung his sword around his neck. He said, 'By
Allaah! I shall find out for sure what has happened to our shepherd. Some harm
must have come to him.' A group of his men said, 'Do not go. we shall do it for
you.' However, he instructed, 'No! I shall go alone.' 'Let us accompany you,' they
appealed. 'No!' he insisted, 'None of you should follow me.'
He then left and passed by me, When I had him perfectly in my sights, I fired an
arrow that penetrated his heart. By Allaah! He made not a sound. I then jumped
at him and severed his head. I then attacked one end of the camp, calling
'Allaahu Akbar!' My two companions also sprung to the attack shouting 'Allaahu
Akbar!' By Allaah! Whoever was there only thought of getting to safety as they
called out, 'Save yourselves! Save yourselves!' They made a dash for it, taking
with them only their wives and children and the lightest of their possessions. We
managed to take a great number of camels and goats, which we brought to
Rasulullaah @@. I also took Rifaa'ah's head along with me. Rasulullaah @@
gave re thirteen camels from the booty, which I could use for the dowry and
to get my wife home." ('1
The Bravery of Hadhrat Khaalid bin
Waleed !$$Jg@j+$
Hadhrat Khaalid StG@X&2j Breaks Nine Swords
During the Battle of Mu'ta
Hadhrat Khaalid bin Waleed !23CW says, "Nine swords broke in my hand during
the Battle of Mu'ta. Eventually, it was only a Yemeni sword that remained in my
hand." (2)
(1) Ibn ls'haaq, as quoted in Al Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.4 Pg.223). Imaam Ahmad and others have
also reported the narration but using the name Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abu Hadrad %Gw
(instead of Hadhrat Abu Hadrad %GWj), as quoted in lsaaba (Vo1.2 Pg.295).
(2) Bukhari, as quoted in Istibab (Vol.1 Pg.408). Haakim (Vo1.3 Pg.42) and Ibn Sa'd (Vo1.4 Pg.2) have
also reported the narration.