The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

IMAM ABD AL-FIDA' ISMA'IL IBN KATHIR 303
Al-Waqidi gave this story with a different line of authorities and in his version
it was stated that he was accompanied by 130 men.
Al-Bayhaqi at this point narrated, through al-Waqidi, the expedition of Bashir
h. Sag also in the vicinity of Khaybar. They encountered a large force ofArabs and
seized much livestock. His dispatch on this expedition had been at the suggestion
of Ahii Bakr and Wmar, may God he pleased with both. With him there were
300 Muslims, along with their guide Husayl b. Nawbara; it was he who had been
the guide of the Messenger of God (SAAS) to Khaybar. Al-WSqidi stated this.
THE EXPEDITION OF ABU HADRAD TO AL-GHABA.
Yiinus stated, quoting Muhammad b. Ishaq, "It was Jacfar b. 'Abd AllSh h.
Aslam who related to me the story of Ahii Hadrad to al-Ghaba. He quoted Ahii
Hadrad as saying, 'I arranged marriage with a woman of my tribe, promising her
a dowry of two hundred dirhams. So I went to the Messenger of God (SAAS)
to seek his help in my wedding. He asked me, "How much dowry did you
promise her?" "Two hundred dirhams," I told him. He exclaimed, 'LGoodness
gracious, I swear by God, if you were just picking up the money from a valley
floor, you couldn't have given more! I swear, I don't have enough to help
you." A few days later a man from Jasham b. Mu'awiya approached; his name
was Rifz'a b. Qays - or Qys b. Rifa'a. He was accompanied by a large group
of Jasham men, with whom he encamped at al-Ghaba, with the intention of
combining with Qays to fight against the Messenger of God (SAAS). He was a
man of fine birth and reputation among Jasham.
"'The Messenger of God (SAAS) summoned myself and two other Muslims
and said, "Go out and get some information about this man." He then gave us
a decrepit old she-camel, mounting one of us on it. I swear, it was so weak it
could only get up with him, when some men pushed it up from behind. It could
scarcely stand up. He told us, "Make do with her."
"'So we left bearing arms consisting of swords and arrows. When we arrived
at sunset close to the village, I hid on one side and told my companions to hide
on another. I told them, "If you hear me crying All& Akbar! and running to
their camp, then you shout the same and follow me."
"'We remained waiting to attack them by surprise until night overcame us.
The darkest part of the night passed. They had a shepherd who had gone out to
graze their flock. He was late in returning and they were worried about him.
Their leader, Rifz'a b. Qays eventually got up and took his sword, which he hung
around his neck, saying, "By God, I'm going out to find out about our shepherd;
something must have happened to him." Some of those with him said, "By God,
don't you go; we'll do it for you." "No," he replied. "Only I will go. I don't want
any of you to follow me."
"'He then came out and passed by me. When he was in my range, I shot an
arrow at him, piercing him in the heart. I swear, he did not utter a sound!