It is narrated from Hazrat Awf bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that we participated in a military expedition towards Syria, and our commander was Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (may Allah be pleased with him). A man from the tribe of Himyar joined us and began staying in our tent. He had nothing with him except a sword, no other belongings or weapons. During this time, a Muslim slaughtered a camel. That man kept watching for an opportunity until he managed to obtain a piece of its hide equal to the size of a shield, and he spread it on the ground. When it dried, it became a shield for him.

Meanwhile, we encountered the enemy, among whom were Romans and the Arab tribe of Banu Quda’ah, who had gathered together. They fought us fiercely. Among the Romans was a man riding a red and white horse, whose saddle was of gold and his belt was also mixed with gold, as was his sword. He was attacking the Muslims with great vigor, and the Himyari man was constantly watching for an opportunity against him. When that Roman passed by him, he came out from behind and attacked him, striking the horse’s leg with his sword, causing the Roman to fall. Then he struck such a powerful blow with his sword that he killed the Roman.

After victory, when he intended to take the Roman’s belongings, and people testified that he was the one who killed the Roman, Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) gave him some of the belongings and withheld some. The man returned to the tent of Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) and mentioned the incident to him. Awf said,“Go back to him again; he should give you your belongings.”So he went again to Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (may Allah be pleased with him), but he refused again. Upon this, Hazrat Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said,“Will you get it?”He replied,“Why not?”Hazrat Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said,“Then what is stopping you from handing over the belongings of the slain to him?”Hazrat Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him) said,“I consider it too much.”Hazrat Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said,“If I am able to see the blessed face of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), I will surely mention this to him.”

When they reached Madinah and came to the service of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and informed him of the matter, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Hazrat Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him),“Who stopped you from giving him the belongings?”Hazrat Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him) replied,“O Messenger of Allah! I considered it too much.”The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“Give him the belongings.”Then, as he passed by Hazrat Awf (may Allah be pleased with him), Awf pulled Khalid’s cloak and said,“What I mentioned to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has happened, hasn’t it?”The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) heard this and became displeased. Then he said,“O Khalid! Now do not give it to him.”(And he said,)“Can you not leave my commanders alone? For your example and theirs is like a man who bought camels or goats to graze, then, seeing the time for them to drink, brought them to a pond. They began to drink, and they drank the clear water and left the dregs. So the good things are for you, and the bad things are for the commanders.”