Abdullah bin Rabah came to us, and I found that a group of people had gathered around him. He said, Abu Qatada, the horseman of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, told us.Abu Qatada said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ dispatched the Army of the Commanders and said, 'Your commander is Zayd bin Haritha. If Zayd is killed, then Jafar. If Jafar is killed, then Abdullah bin Rawaha al-Ansari.'Jafar leapt up and said, 'May my father and mother be ransomed for you, Prophet of Allah, I never imagined that you would appoint Zayd over me.'The Prophet replied, 'Go forth, for you do not know which of these outcomes is best.'"He said, "The army set out and remained away as long as Allah willed. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ climbed the pulpit and ordered that the call be made, 'The prayer is gathering.'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'Shall good news come, or shall good return?' Abdul-Rahman was uncertain which wording was used. 'Shall I tell you about this army of yours that has gone out to fight? They set out until they met the enemy. Zayd was struck down as a martyr, so seek forgiveness for him.' So the people sought forgiveness for him.'Then Jafar bin Abu Talib took up the banner and charged into the enemy until he was killed as a martyr. I bear witness for him that he is a martyr, so seek forgiveness for him.Then Abdullah bin Rawaha took up the banner and stood his ground firmly until he was struck down as a martyr, so seek forgiveness for him.Then Khalid bin Walid took up the banner, though he was not among the appointed commanders. He appointed himself.'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ raised his two fingers and said, 'O Allah, he is a sword from Your swords, so grant him victory.'" Abdul-Rahman once said, "So victory was granted through him." From that day, Khalid was named the Sword of Allah.Then the Prophet ﷺ said, "Go forth and reinforce your brothers, and let no one stay behind." So the people set out in intense heat, on foot and mounted.
حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن مهدي حدثنا الأسود بن شيبان
قدم علينا عبد الله بن رباح فوجدته قد اجتمع إليه ناس من الناس قال حدثنا أبو قتادة فارس رسول الله ﷺ قال بعث رسول الله ﷺ جيش الأمراء وقال عليكم زيد بن حارثة فإن أصيب زيد فجعفر فإن أصيب جعفر فعبد الله بن رواحة الأنصاري فوثب جعفر فقال بأبي أنت يا نبي الله وأمي ما كنت أرهب أن تستعمل علي زيدا قال امضوا فإنك لا تدري أي ذلك خير قال فانطلق الجيش فلبثوا ما شاء الله ثم إن رسول الله ﷺ صعد المنبر وأمر أن ينادى الصلاة جامعة فقال رسول الله ﷺ ناب خير أو ثاب خير شك عبد الرحمن ألا أخبركم عن جيشكم هذا الغازي إنهم انطلقوا حتى لقوا العدو فأصيب زيد شهيدا فاستغفروا له فاستغفر له الناس ثم أخذ اللواء جعفر بن أبي طالب فشد على القوم حتى قتل شهيدا أشهد له بالشهادة فاستغفروا له ثم أخذ اللواء عبد الله بن رواحة فأثبت قدميه حتى أصيب شهيدا فاستغفروا له ثم أخذ اللواء خالد بن الوليد ولم يكن من الأمراء هو أمر نفسه فرفع رسول الله ﷺ أصبعيه وقال اللهم هو سيف من سيوفك فانصره وقال عبد الرحمن مرة فانتصر به فيومئذ سمي خالد سيف الله ثم قال النبي ﷺ انفروا فأمدوا إخوانكم ولا يتخلفن أحد فنفر الناس في حر شديد مشاة وركبانا