Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, "The best number of companions is four, the best number in expeditions four hundred, and the best number in armies four thousand; and twelve thousand will not be overcome through smallness of numbers." Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a gharib tradition.

Jabir told that God’s Messenger used to keep to the rear when traveling and urge on the weak. He would take someone up behind him and would make supplication for them all. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Tha'laba al-Khushani said that when the people encamped they scattered in the glens and wadis, but when God’s Messenger said, “Your scattering in these glens and wadis is only of the devil," they afterwards kept close together when they encamped to such an extent that it used to be said that if a cloth were spread over them it would cover them all. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Mas’ud said: At the battle of Badr there was one camel to every three men of us. Abu Lubaba and ‘Ali b. Abu Talib were the travelling companions of God’s Messenger, and when his turn to dismount came they would offer to walk instead of him, but he would reply, “You are not stronger than I am, and I am not more able to dispense with the reward* than you are." * i.e. the reward in the next world for walking part of the way. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “Do not treat the backs of your beasts as pulpits, for God most high has made them subject to you only to convey you to a town which you could not reach without difficulty; and He has appointed the earth for you, so conduct your business on it." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas said: When we encamped we did not glorify God* till we had loosened the saddles. * This is explained as meaning to perform the salat. Cf. Mirqat, iv, 218. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Buraida told that while God’s Messenger was walking a man who had an ass came to him and, moving to the back of the animal, invited him to mount, but he said, “No; you have more right to ride in front on your animal unless you grant that right to me." The man replied that he did, and so he mounted. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sa'id b. Abu Hind told that Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are camels which belong to devils and houses which belong to devils." He1 said he had seen the devils’ camels; one goes out with fine she-camels which he has fattened, neither riding any of them nor giving a lift to a tired brother whom he meets, but he had not seen the devils' houses. Sa'id used to say he thought they were those cages which concealed people2 with brocade. 1. It is commonly held that this refers to Abu Huraira. 2. A various reading has ‘which people concealed’. The cages mean the litters on camels' backs. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sahl b. Mu'adh reported his father as saying: We went on an expedition with the Prophet (ﷺ) and the people occupied so much space that they encroached on the road,* so God’s Prophet sent a man to announce among the people, “Those who occupy much space or encroach on the road will not be credited with jihad.” * This refers to times when they were encamping. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jabir reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “The best time for a man to go in to his family on returning from a journey is at the beginning of the night.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Qatada told that when God's Messenger encamped at night on a journey he lay down on his right side, and when he encamped a little before morning he raised his forearm and placed his head on the palm of his hand. Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas told that the Prophet (ﷺ) sent ‘Abdallah b. Rawaha with a detachment and that happened to be on a Friday. His companions set off in the morning, but he decided to stay behind and catch up on them after saying the prayer along with God’s Messenger. When he did so he saw him and asked him what had prevented him from going out in the morning with his companions. He replied, “I wanted to pray along with you and then catch up with them,” whereupon he said, “If you were to contribute all the earth contains you would not attain to the excellence of their going out in the morning.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The angels do not go with a travelling company in which there is a panther skin.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sahl b. Sa'd reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The lord of the people on a journey is their servant,* and he who precedes them in service will not be preceded by them on account of any deed but martyrdom.” * This is said to mean either that the leader must look after the interests of his followers, or that even the humblest member who serves the others is rewarded by God as if he were the dealer. Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

He told that God’s Messenger sent his letter to Kisra with ‘Abdallah b. Hudhafa as-Sahmi, ordering him to hand it to the governor of al- Bahrain. The governor of al-Bahrain conveyed it to Kisra, and when he read it he tore it up. Ibn al-Musayyib said that God’s Messenger then invoked a curse on them to the effect that they might be torn into little pieces. Bukhari transmitted it.

Sulaiman b. Buraida told on his father’s authority that when God’s Messenger appointed a commander over an army or a detachment he instructed him to fear God himself and consider the welfare of the Muslims who were with him. He then said, “Go forth in God’s name in God’s path and fight with those who disbelieve in God. Go forth and do not be unfaithful regarding booty, or treacherous, or mutilate anyone, or kill a child. When you meet the polytheists who are your enemy summon them to three things, and accept whichever of them they are willing to agree to, and refrain from them. Then* summon them to Islam, and if they agree accept it from them and refrain from them. Then summon them to leave their abodes and transfer to the abode of the Emigrants, and tell them that if they do so they will have the same rights and responsibilities as the Emigrants; but if they refuse to transfer from them tell them they will be like the desert Arabs who are Muslims, subject to God’s jurisdiction which applies to the believers, but will have no spoil or booty unless they strive with the Muslims. If they refuse demand the jizya from them, and if they agree accept it from them and refrain from them; but if they refuse seek God’s help and fight with them. When you invest a fortress and its people wish you to grant them the protection of God and His prophet, grant them neither but grant them your protection and that of your companions, for it is less serious to break your guarantee of protection and that of your companions than to break that of God and His Messenger. If you invest a fortress and its people offer to capitulate and have the matter referred to God’s jurisdiction, do not grant this, but let them capitulate and have the matter referred to your jurisdiction, for you do not know whether or not you will hit on God’s jurisdiction regarding them.” * What follows gives in detail the three things mentioned above. Muslim transmitted it.

An-Nu‘man b. Muqarrin said he was present at fighting along with God’s Messenger, and when he did not fight at the beginning of the day he waited till the winds blew and the time of prayer came. Bukhari transmitted it.

An-Nu‘man b. Muqarrin said he was present at fighting along with God’s Messenger, and when he did not fight at the beginning of the day he waited till the sun had passed the meridian, the winds blew and help came down. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Qatada quoted an-Nu‘man b. Muqarrin as saying: I went on an expedition with God's Messenger, and when dawn came he waited till the sun rose and when it rose he fought. Then when midday came he stopped till the sun passed the meridian and when it had done so he fought till the afternoon, when he stopped till he prayed the afternoon prayer, and then fought. Qatada told that it used to be said that the winds of victory blew at that time and the believers made supplication for their armies during their prayer. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ka‘b b. Malik said: When God’s Messenger intended to go on an expedition he always pretended to be going somewhere else till that expedition, meaning the one to Tabuk. God’s Messenger undertook it in extreme heat, facing a long journey, desert country and a numerous enemy. He made clear to the Muslims what they were about to do in order that they might get ready the equipment for their expedition, telling them where he was going. Bukhari transmitted it.