Abdullah bin Rabah narrated: We went to (visit) Sayyiduna Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), and Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) was also present with us. One of us would arrange food each day; when it was my turn, they all gathered at my place, but the food was not yet ready. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: On the occasion of the conquest of Makkah, I was with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "Abu Hurairah! Call the Ansar to me." I called them, and they came running. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "O group of Ansar! Do you see the scattered people of Quraysh? When you encounter them tomorrow, cut them down." Hammad (the narrator) gestured with his right hand over his left hand and said (cut them like this). "Then you are to meet me at Safa (hill)." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) appointed Khalid bin Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) to the right flank, Zubair bin Al-Awwam (may Allah be pleased with him) to the left flank, and Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) to the infantry in the valley. The narrator said: When the next day came, we encountered them, and whoever of them we saw, we put him to (the sleep of) death. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) conquered Makkah and ascended the hill of Safa. The Ansar came and surrounded the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) at Safa. Abu Sufyan came and said: O Messenger of Allah! The great groups of Quraysh have perished; after today, Quraysh will remain no more. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever enters his house is safe; whoever lays down his arms is safe; whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is also safe; and whoever closes his door is also safe." The Ansar said: As for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he has felt compassion for his people and has developed longing and desire for his homeland. Revelation came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him); when that state ended, he said: "O group of Ansar! Did you say that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has felt compassion for his people and has developed longing and desire for his homeland? Then what is my name? I am Allah's servant and His Messenger. I migrated to Allah and to you; my living and dying is with you." They said: O Messenger of Allah! We only said this because of our special relationship with Allah and His Messenger. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah and His Messenger affirm you and accept your excuse."

Sulaiman bin Mughira narrated regarding this hadith: The Prophet (peace be upon him) appointed Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) over such a foot army that did not have armor.