Abu Khaythama catches up with the Prophet

Days after the Prophet had marched, Abu Khaythama returned to his family on a hot day and found his two wives in two bowers they had prepared for him in his garden with cold water and food. He refused to enter, saying he would not sit in cool shade while the Prophet was out in the midday wind and heat; he took his provisions and his camel and went after the Prophet until he caught up with him at Tabuk. ¹

Abu Khaythama returned to his family on a hot day days after the Prophet had marched, and found his two wives in two bowers in his garden — each had sprinkled her bower, cooled water for him in it and prepared him food. ²

When he entered he stood at the bower's door and looked at his wives and what they had made for him, and said, in meaning: the Prophet is in the midday sun, wind and heat while Abu Khaythama is in cool shade with food prepared and a fair wife — this is no fair division. ²

He swore not to enter either one's bower until he caught up with the Prophet, so they prepared him provisions; he brought his camel forward, mounted and set out after the Prophet until he caught him as he halted at Tabuk. ¹

On the road Umayr ibn Wahb al-Jumahi had caught up with him, also seeking the Prophet, and they rode together; when they drew near Tabuk Abu Khaythama said to Umayr: I have a sin to my name — would you hold back from me so that I reach the Prophet first? And he did. ³

When the people saw a rider approaching the Prophet said: let it be Abu Khaythama — and it was he. When he greeted him the Prophet told him "you have the better of it, Abu Khaythama"; then he told him the story and the Prophet spoke well of him and prayed for him. ³

• Ibn Hisham says Abu Khaythama's name was Malik ibn Qays and that he spoke verses on this (p. 164).