Abdullah bin Rabah al-Ansari came to us, and the Ansar used to consider him a man of religious learning. I went to him while he was in the quarters of Sharik bin al-Awar, the street that opened onto the Mirbad, and a group of people had gathered around him.He said, Abu Qatada al-Ansari, the horseman of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, narrated to us, "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 bin Abu Talib. If Jafar is killed, then Abdullah bin Rawaha al-Ansari.'Jafar leapt up and said, 'May my father and mother be ransomed for you, Messenger of Allah, I never thought you would place Zayd over me as commander.'He replied, 'Go on with it, for you do not know which of these arrangements is better.'So they 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 news settle, or shall good news return?' Abdul-Rahman was uncertain which word was used. 'Shall I not inform you about this army of yours that went out to fight? They set out and met the enemy. Zayd was struck down as a martyr, so seek forgiveness for him.' The people sought forgiveness for him.'Then Jafar bin Abu Talib took the banner and charged at the enemy until he was killed as a martyr. I bear witness for him that he died a martyr. Seek forgiveness for him.' So they sought forgiveness for him.'Then Abdullah bin Rawaha took the banner and stood his ground firmly until he was killed as a martyr. Seek forgiveness for him.''Then Khalid bin Walid took the banner, though he was not one of the appointed commanders. He took command on his own initiative.'Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raised his two fingers and said, 'O Allah, he is a sword from Your swords, so grant him victory.' From that day Khalid was named Sword of Allah.Then he said, 'March out and reinforce your brothers, and let no one remain behind.' So the people set out in severe heat, on foot and mounted."
حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن مهدي حدثنا الأسود بن شيبان
قدم علينا عبد الله بن رباح الأنصاري وكانت الأنصار تفقهه فأتيته وهو في حواء شريك بن الأعور الشارع على المربد وقد اجتمع عليه ناس من الناس فقال حدثنا أبو قتادة الأنصاري فارس رسول الله ﷺ قال بعث رسول الله ﷺ جيش الأمراء فقال عليكم زيد بن حارثة فإن أصيب زيد فجعفر بن أبي طالب فإن أصيب جعفر فعبد الله بن رواحة الأنصاري فوثب جعفر فقال بأبي أنت وأمي يا رسول الله ما كنت أرهب أن تستعمل علي زيدا قال امضه فإنك لا تدري أي ذلك خير فانطلقوا فلبثوا ما شاء الله ثم إن رسول الله ﷺ صعد المنبر وأمر أن ينادى الصلاة جامعة فقال رسول الله ﷺ ناب خير أو بات خير أو ثاب خير شك عبد الرحمن ألا أخبركم عن جيشكم هذا الغازي إنهم انطلقوا فلقوا 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 قتل شهيدا فاستغفروا له ثم أخذ اللواء خالد بن الوليد ولم يكن من الأمراء هو أمر نفسه ثم رفع رسول الله ﷺ إصبعيه فقال اللهم هو سيف من سيوفك فانصره فمن يومئذ سمي خالد سيف الله ثم قال انفروا فأمدوا إخوانكم ولا يتخلفن أحد قال فنفر الناس في حر شديد مشاة وركبانا