In another version (1), while they were on a journey, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to his Companions, “Go on ahead.” They moved ahead, after which he said to ʿĀʾishah, “Race me.” They raced and she outpaced him. Later she travelled with him again, and he told his Companions, “Go on ahead,” then said to her, “Race me.” This time he outpaced her (2) and remarked, “This one makes up for that one.”

The Companions also raced on foot in his presence without staking anything. In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (3) it is narrated from Salamah ibn al-Akwaʿ: “While we were on the march, there was a man from the Anṣār who was never beaten in running (4). He kept calling out, ‘Who will race me to Madinah? Is there anyone who will race?’ (5) I said to him, ‘Will you not honor a noble man and show deference to one of high standing?’ He answered, ‘No—unless it be the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah—may my father and mother be ransomed for you—allow me to race this man.’ He replied, ‘If you wish.’ So I outstripped him all the way to Madinah.” (6)