Bara bin Azib reported,

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent Abdullah bin Ateek and Abdullah bin Utbah, along with a group of men, to Abu Rafi. They set out and when they drew near the fortress, Abdullah bin Ateek said to them, "You wait here while I go ahead and scout."He said, I worked my way carefully toward entering the fortress. They had lost a donkey of theirs, so they came out with a torch searching for it. I feared I would be recognized, so I covered my head and sat down as though relieving myself.Then the gatekeeper called out, "Whoever wants to enter, let him enter before I lock the gate."So I went in, then hid in the donkey stable near the gate of the fortress. They had their evening meal with Abu Rafi and stayed talking until a portion of the night had passed, then they returned to their homes. When the voices died down and I could hear no movement, I came out.I had seen where the gatekeeper placed the key of the fortress, in a wall recess, so I took it and opened the gate of the fortress with it. I said to myself, "If the people become aware of me, I will get away at my leisure."Then I made for the doors of their rooms and locked them from the outside upon them. Then I climbed up to Abu Rafi by a ladder, and there was the room dark, its lamp put out, and I did not know where the man was.So I called, "Abu Rafi."He answered, "Who is this?"I made for the voice and struck him. He cried out but my blow had no effect. Then I came in as though coming to his aid and said, "What is the matter with you, Abu Rafi?" disguising my voice.He said, "Your mother be bereaved! A man came in upon me and struck me with the sword."So I went at him again and struck another blow, but it had no effect. He cried out and his household rose up. Then I came back, disguising my voice as if rushing to help, and there he was lying on his back, so I placed the sword on his belly and bore down on it until I heard the sound of bone.Then I went out in confusion and came to the ladder wanting to descend, but I fell from it and dislocated my leg. I bandaged it and then came to my companions hopping. I said, "Set off and bring the good news to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. As for me, I will not leave until I hear the death announcer."When dawn was breaking, the death announcer climbed up and called out, "I announce the death of Abu Rafi."So I got up and walked, with nothing wrong with me, and I caught up with my companions before they reached the Prophet ﷺ, and I gave him the good news.

حدثنا أحمد بن عثمان حدثنا شريح هو ابن مسلمة حدثنا إبراهيم بن يوسف عن أبيه عن أبي إسحاق قال سمعت

البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنه قال

بعث رسول الله ﷺ إلى أبي رافع عبد الله بن عتيك وعبد الله بن عتبة في ناس معهم فانطلقوا حتى دنوا من الحصن فقال لهم عبد الله بن عتيك امكثوا أنتم حتى أنطلق أنا فأنظر قال فتلطفت أن أدخل الحصن ففقدوا حمارا لهم قال فخرجوا بقبس يطلبونه قال فخشيت أن أعرف قال فغطيت رأسي وجلست كأني أقضي حاجة ثم نادى صاحب الباب من أراد أن يدخل فليدخل قبل أن أغلقه فدخلت ثم اختبأت في مربط حمار عند باب الحصن فتعشوا عند أبي رافع وتحدثوا حتى ذهبت ساعة من الليل ثم رجعوا إلى بيوتهم فلما هدأت الأصوات ولا أسمع حركة خرجت قال ورأيت صاحب الباب حيث وضع مفتاح الحصن في كوة فأخذته ففتحت به باب الحصن قال قلت إن نذر بي القوم انطلقت على مهل ثم عمدت إلى أبواب بيوتهم فغلقتها عليهم من ظاهر ثم صعدت إلى أبي رافع في سلم فإذا البيت مظلم قد طفئ سراجه فلم أدر أين الرجل فقلت يا أبا رافع قال من هذا قال فعمدت نحو الصوت فأضربه وصاح فلم تغن شيئا قال ثم جئت كأني أغيثه فقلت ما لك يا أبا رافع وغيرت صوتي فقال ألا أعجبك لأمك الويل دخل علي رجل فضربني بالسيف قال فعمدت له أيضا فأضربه أخرى فلم تغن شيئا فصاح وقام أهله قال ثم جئت وغيرت صوتي كهيئة المغيث فإذا هو مستلق على ظهره فأضع السيف في بطنه ثم أنكفئ عليه حتى سمعت صوت العظم ثم خرجت دهشا حتى أتيت السلم أريد أن أنزل فأسقط منه فانخلعت رجلي فعصبتها ثم أتيت أصحابي أحجل فقلت انطلقوا فبشروا رسول الله ﷺ فإني لا أبرح حتى أسمع الناعية فلما كان في وجه الصبح صعد الناعية فقال أنعى أبا رافع قال فقمت أمشي ما بي قلبة فأدركت أصحابي قبل أن يأتوا النبي ﷺ فبشرته