11—When morning came, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Our finest cavalryman today was Abu Qatadah, and our finest foot soldier was Salamah.” He then gave me two shares: the share of a mounted fighter and the share of a foot soldier, combining both for me. Then, as we returned to Medina, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, seated me behind him on al-ʿAdbāʾ.

12—He said: As we were travelling along, there was a man from the Ansar whose sprint no one could surpass. He began to call out, “Will anyone race me to Medina? Is there anyone to race?” He kept repeating this. When I heard what he was saying, I said, “Will you not show respect to a noble man or stand in awe of one of high rank?” He said, “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 sacrificed for you, allow me to race the man!” He said, “If you wish.”

He said: I said, “Go on, then.” I drew up my legs, sprang forward, and ran. I gave him a lead of one or two rises, conserving my strength; then I ran after him and made up one or two rises. Then I accelerated until I caught up with him. He said: I struck him between the shoulder blades and said, “By Allah, you have been beaten!” He replied, “I suppose so.” Thus I beat him to Medina.

13—He said: By Allah, only three nights had passed before we set out for Khaybar with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. My uncle Amir began chanting rajaz verses among the people:

“By Allah, were it not for Allah, we would not have been guided;
we would not have given charity, nor would we have prayed.
We can never do without Your bounty,
so make our feet firm when we meet the enemy,
and send down tranquillity upon us.”

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Who is this?” He said, “It is Amir.” He said: