The capture and release of Hatim al-Ta'i's daughter

Horsemen of the Prophet took the daughter of Hatim al-Ta'i among the captives of Tayy, after her brother Adi fled to Syria. She was held in Medina, then the Prophet released her and equipped her until she joined her brother. ^{1 2}

Ibn Ishaq relates on the authority of Adi that horsemen of the Prophet went against his people and captured Hatim's daughter among those they took. She was brought to the Prophet among the captives of Tayy, after word had reached him that Adi had fled. She was placed in an enclosure at the gate of the mosque where captives used to be held. ¹ When the Prophet passed by her, she stood up before him. She was a woman of dignity, and she said: "The father has died and the one who could vouch has gone; so show favour to me, as God has shown favour to you." He asked her about her one who would vouch for her, and she said: "Adi ibn Hatim (may God be pleased with him)." He said: "The one who fled from God and His Messenger," and went on. ² This happened again the next day, and on the third day when he passed her, she had given up hope. A man behind him signalled to her that she should speak to her people, and she spoke her words. He said: "I have done so. Do not hurry to leave until you find among your people someone trustworthy who can bring you to your land, then inform me." ²

She asked who the man was who had signalled to her, and she was told: Ali ibn Abi Talib. ² She stayed until a caravan from Bali or Quda'a came, and she told the Prophet that some of her people had come, among them a trustworthy man who could bring her. He clothed her, carried her, and gave her provisions, and she went out with them until she reached Syria. ²

The account is reported on the authority of Adi ibn Hatim "as it reached me" in Ibn Ishaq, and the young woman's words are given within his narration. ^{1 2}