It is narrated from Urwah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) dispatched an army towards Mu'tah, and in Jumada al-Ula of the year 8 AH, Zayd bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) fought (bravely) holding the banner of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) until, pierced by the spears of the enemy, he was martyred writhing in agony. Then Ja'far bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) took up the banner.

It is narrated from Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Zayd bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) with any army, he always appointed him as its commander, and had he lived on after him (peace and blessings be upon him), he (peace and blessings be upon him) would have appointed him as his successor (khalifah). This hadith has a sahih (authentic) chain of narration, but the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.

It is narrated from Qays bin Abi Hazim that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not blame us for loving Zayd (bin Harithah)."

It is narrated from Imam al-Sha'bi; he said: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent out a sariyyah (military expedition) and Zayd bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) was among them, he (peace and blessings be upon him) would appoint him, and none other, as their commander.