“Under the agreement you made with us, you must hand back to us everyone who comes to you as a Muslim.”

So the Prophet ﷺ surrendered him to the two men. They set off and, when they reached Dhu ’l-Ḥulayfa, they dismounted to eat some of their dates. Abu Basir said to one of them, “By Allah, I can see that your sword is a fine one, O so-and-so!” The man drew it and replied, “Indeed, by Allah, it is excellent; I have tested it time and again.” Abu Basir said, “Let me look at it.” When the man gave it to him, Abu Basir struck him with it until he lay motionless. The other man fled until he reached Medina and entered the mosque. When the Prophet ﷺ saw him, he remarked, “This man has certainly been frightened.” As soon as the envoy reached the Prophet ﷺ he exclaimed, “By Allah, my companion has been killed and I myself am sure to be slain!”

Then Abu Basir arrived and said, “O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, you have fulfilled your pledge: you returned me to them, and Allah has saved me from them.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Woe to his mother! What a kindler of war he would be if only he had some supporters.” Realizing from this that the Prophet ﷺ would send him back to them, Abu Basir slipped away until he reached the seashore. Abu Jandal, the son of Suhayl ibn ʿAmr, managed to escape from them as well and joined Abu Basir.… Musa ibn ʿUqba related this story of Abu Basir with fuller wording and a more complete narrative, saying: … and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ wrote to