The expedition of Abou Salama to Qatan

In Mouharram of this fourth year of the Hijra took place the expedition of Abou Salama ibn Abd al-Asad toward Toulaha al-Asadi, as far as a watering place called Qatan. The Waqidi reports: Abou Salama had taken part in Ouhoud and was wounded in the arm; he remained a month under treatment. At the crescent of Mouharram, thirty-five months after the Hijra, the Messenger of Allah called him and said: "Go out with this expedition: I have appointed you over it." He tied for him a banner and said: "March until you reach the land of the Banu Asad and raid them."

He counselled him the fear of Allah and kindness toward the Muslims with him, and they went out, a hundred and fifty men. They reached the outskirts of Qatan, the water of the Banu Asad, where Toulaha al-Asadi and his brother Salama, sons of Khouwaylid, were gathered, having collected allies among the Banu Asad to make war upon the Prophet. A man of that people came to the Prophet to report their muster, and in consequence he sent Abou Salama. When they reached their land, the Banu Asad scattered, leaving behind great numbers of camels and sheep: Abou Salama seized all of it, took three slaves, turned back toward Medina, granted the guide from the Banu Asad a generous share of sheep, set aside the Prophet’s special portion, a slave, took the fifth, and divided the spoils among his companions, then entered Medina.

Oumar ibn Outhman reports: when my father recovered and the Messenger of Allah sent him in Mouharram of the year four toward Qatan, he was absent ten and some nights. Upon entering Medina his wound reopened, and he died on the third of the remaining nights of Joumada al-Oula. Oumar said: my mother observed her waiting period of four months and ten nights, then the Messenger of Allah married her, entering upon her within the remaining nights of Shawwal. My mother used to say: there is no harm in marrying in Shawwal nor in the consummation in it, since the Messenger of Allah married me in Shawwal and held the wedding feast in it. Oum Salama died in Dhoul-Qi’da of the year fifty-nine: the Bayhaqi reports it.