Hazrat Dhu Makhmar (who is also called Dhu Mukhbir), who was an Abyssinian man and used to serve the Prophet (peace be upon him), says that once we were on a journey with the Prophet (peace be upon him). On the way back, the Prophet (peace be upon him) increased his pace; generally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would do so due to the shortage of provisions. Someone said, "O Messenger of Allah! The people have fallen far behind." So the Prophet (peace be upon him) stopped, and his companions also stopped, until everyone caught up. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) or someone else suggested that we camp here. So the Prophet (peace be upon him) also dismounted, and everyone set up camp.

Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, "Who will guard us tonight?" I offered myself and said, "I will do it; may Allah sacrifice me for you." The Prophet (peace be upon him) handed me the reins of his camel and said, "Do not be negligent." I took the reins of my camel and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) camel and went a little distance away and let them graze. I kept watching them like that until suddenly sleep overtook me, and I became unaware of everything until I felt the heat of the sun on my face and woke up. I looked to my right and left, and both camels were not far from me. I took their reins and went to the nearby people, woke them up, and asked, "Have you prayed?" They replied, "No." Then people started waking each other up until the Prophet (peace be upon him) also woke up.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked Hazrat Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), "Bilal! Is there water in the vessel for ablution?" He replied, "Yes, may Allah sacrifice me for you." Then he brought the water for ablution. The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed ablution; he did not perform tayammum. Then he ordered Hazrat Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), and he gave the call to prayer (adhan). Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) stood and prayed the two sunnah before Fajr, and he did not hasten in them. Then he ordered, and Bilal gave the iqamah, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) calmly led the Fajr prayer. After the prayer, someone said, "O Messenger of Allah! Did we fall short?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "No! Allah alone took our souls and He alone returned our souls, and we prayed."