and I mounted her. She was so feeble that, by Allah, she could not even keep her footing; the men had to push her up from behind with their hands until she finally stood—barely. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Make the journey on this.”

We set off, and when we came within sight of the encampment at sunset I settled in one position and told my two companions to hide in another. I said, “When you hear me proclaim the takbīr and rush the camp, proclaim the takbīr and rush with me.”

By Allah, we lay in wait like that, watching for an opening, until the depth of night had passed. They had a shepherd who had taken their animals to pasture in that area and was late in returning. Their leader, Rifāʿah, rose, took his sword, and said, “I will follow our shepherd’s trail.” They answered, “We will spare you the trouble.” He replied, “No, by Allah, none of you shall come with me.” He set out and passed right by me. When he came within range I loosed an arrow that lodged in his heart; by Allah, he made no sound. I sprang upon him, cut off his head, then charged into the camp crying, “Allāhu akbar!” My two companions cried “Allāhu akbar!” with me.

By Allah, the people scattered in rout, each shouting, “Save yourselves!” and snatching up whatever they could of their womenfolk, children, and light belongings. We drove off a large herd of camels and many sheep and brought them to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and I carried Rifāʿah’s head with me. He gave me thirteen of those camels toward my bride-price, and so I was able to bring my wife home.

The Detachment of Muḥallim ibn Juthāmah

Muḥammad ibn Salamah, quoting Ibn Isḥāq, said: Yazīd ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Qusayṭ related to me, from ʿAbd Allah ibn Abī Ḥadrad, from his father, who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ dispatched us to the valley of Idam with a number of Muslims that included Abū Qatādah and Muḥallim ibn Juthāmah ibn Qays. When we reached the bed of the valley of Idam, ʿĀmir ibn al-Aḍbaṭ al-Ashjaʿī passed by us