Ibn al-Athīr recounts in both al-Kāmil and Maʿrifat al-Ṣaḥābah that when the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—passed away and many of the Arabs apostatized, Sajāḥ emerged claiming prophethood. Mālik made peace with her; no explicit apostasy was noted on his part, and he remained in al-Biṭāḥ. Once Khālid had completed his campaign against the tribes of Asad and Ghatafān, he advanced toward Mālik, sent out scouting detachments, and Mālik was taken and brought before him. The report states that when Khālid arrived, ʿUmar said to him, “Enemy of Allah! You have killed a Muslim man and then jumped upon his wife—by Allah, I will stone you!” The account also mentions that Abū Qatādah testified they had given the call to prayer and had performed the prayer.

Al-Mawqirī, citing al-Zuhrī, adds: Khālid dispatched a detachment against Mālik ibn Nuwayrah in which Abū Qatādah took part. They rode hard all day until they reached the tribe’s encampment. Mālik came out with a small group and asked, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are Muslims.” Abū Qatādah maintains that Mālik answered, “And I am the servant of Allah, a Muslim.” He was then told, “Lay down your weapons,” so he and twelve of his men set their arms aside. No sooner had they done so than the commander of the detachment bound them and led them off as prisoners; their womenfolk were also seized and taken along until they were all brought before Khālid.

Abū Qatādah informed Khālid that the prisoners had been granted safe-conduct and that they had professed Islam, but the rest of the detachment contradicted him, claiming no such pledge had been given and that the men had been captured by force. Khālid therefore ordered their execution and took their dependants as captives.

Mounting his horse, Abū Qatādah hurried to Abū Bakr. On arriving he said, “You know Mālik ibn Nuwayrah had a covenant, that he professed Islam, and that I forbade Khālid—yet he ignored me and accepted the testimony of desert Arabs who were merely after spoils.” ʿUmar then rose and declared, “O Abū Bakr, there is rashness in Khālid’s sword, and this was unjust. It is incumbent upon you to exact retribution from him.” Abū Bakr remained silent.