And it is established that ‘Āmir ibn al-Akwa‘ chanted camel-driving songs for the Companions while they were with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. He asked, “Who is the driver?” They replied, “‘Āmir ibn al-Akwa‘.” He said, “May Allah have mercy on him.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, if only you had let us enjoy his company longer!”

In the two Sahīh collections, Salama ibn al-Akwa‘ related:

“We set out with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and travelled by night. A man among the people said to ‘Āmir ibn al-Akwa‘, ‘Will you not let us hear some of your little verses?’ ‘Āmir was a poet, so he dismounted and chanted to drive the people’s camels, saying:

‘By Allah, were it not for You, we would not have been guided,
Nor given charity, nor prayed.
So forgive what we have done—may I be Your ransom—
And make our feet firm when we meet the enemy.
Send down tranquillity upon us;
When called upon, we come.
With their cries they have sought help against us.’

“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, asked, ‘Who is this driver?’ They replied, ‘‘Āmir ibn al-Akwa‘.’ He said, ‘May Allah have mercy on him.’ A man among the people said, ‘It has become inevitable, O Prophet of Allah! If only you had let us enjoy his company longer!’”

He then related the account of his martyrdom during that expedition—the expedition to Khaybar.