It is narrated from Sayyiduna Urwah bin al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) that on the Day of Badr there were only two horses with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) (in the whole army), one of which belonged to Sayyiduna Marthad bin Abi Marthad al-Ghanawi (may Allah be pleased with him) and the other to Sayyiduna al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him).

It is narrated from Asim bin Umar bin Qatadah that after the Battle of Uhud, some people of the tribes of Adal and al-Qarah (which are two branches of Jadilah) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "Islam (is spreading) in our land, so send with us some of your Companions who will teach us the Qur'an and give us understanding (fiqh) of the religion of Islam." So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent six men with them, among whom was Sayyiduna Marthad bin Abi Marthad, the ally of Sayyiduna Hamzah bin Abd al-Muttalib, and he was their commander. Also in this group were Khalid bin al-Bukayr al-Laythi, the ally of Banu Adi, Abdullah bin Tariq al-Zafari, Zayd bin al-Dathinah, Khubayb bin Adi and Asim bin Thabit bin al-Aqlah. So this party set out under the leadership of their commander Marthad bin Abi Marthad, until, when they reached al-Raji', the tribe of Hudhayl attacked them. They were still resting among their saddles when suddenly men carrying swords surrounded them. The Companions took up their swords to defend themselves, whereupon they (the attackers) said: By Allah! We do not intend to kill you; rather, we want to obtain (a reward) from the people of Makkah (by handing you over to them). You have the covenant of Allah and His pledge (that we will not harm you). But Asim, Marthad and Khalid kept fighting until they were martyred, and they said: "By Allah! We will never accept a covenant or any agreement from a polytheist."