A platoon of thirty Muslims under the
leadership of Muhammad ibn Maslamah was despatched on a military mission. They headed for the habitation of the sept of
Banu Bakr. The Muslims attacked the sept and dispersed them in all directions. The Muslims captured war booty and returned with the chief of the tribe of
Banu Hanifa, called Thumamah bin Uthal Al-Hanafi. Muhammad's Companions tied Thumamah to a pole of a Mosque. To a question posed by Muhammad, Thumamah used to say: "If you were to kill someone, then you would have to choose one of noble descent, if you were to be gracious, then let it be to a grateful man and if you were to ask for money, you would have to ask for it from a generous man." He repeated that three times on three different occasions. On the third time, the Muhammad ordered that he should be released and later he converted to Islam. ==See also==