placing ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAtīk in command of them. Abū Rāfiʿ had been maligning the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—and aiding others against him. He was ensconced in a fortress of his in the Ḥijāz. When the squad drew near and the sun had already set and the townsfolk had gone indoors, ʿAbd Allah said to his companions, “Remain where you are. I am going ahead to win over the gatekeeper; perhaps I can gain entry.” He then proceeded until he reached the gate, and the narration goes on to relate in detail how he killed him, up to the point that