Commander at Dhat al-Salasil

A few months after the Muslim setback at Mu'tah, word came that tribes on the northern frontier were gathering. The Prophet ﷺ chose 'Amr, a recent convert, to lead a force that included Abu Bakr and 'Umar. 'Amr's mother's family was among the tribes of that region, and the choice drew on that tie.

On a freezing night, 'Amr needed the full ritual bath and feared that washing in the cold would harm him. He performed tayammum and led the prayer instead. When this was reported to the Prophet ﷺ, 'Amr explained that Allah says not to kill yourselves, and the Prophet ﷺ laughed and said nothing against him.

'Amr asked later whom the Prophet ﷺ loved most, wondering whether his own command meant that he was held in esteem. The answer was 'A'ishah, and among men, her father. The Prophet ﷺ said also that people had submitted and 'Amr had believed, a sentence that tied his faith to his deeds.