The Knight of the Prophet ﷺ
Abu Qatada al-Ansari — al-Harith ibn Rib’i of Banu Salima — was famed as the knight of the Prophet ﷺ, his special horseman. At the expedition of Dhu Qarad, when raiders drove off the Prophet’s ﷺ camels, Abu Qatada gave chase and fought, killing an enemy champion even after his own horse was hamstrung. 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 540 — Kandhlawi — Abu Qatada, the Prophet's horseman at Dhu Qarad, kills an enemy champion in the pursuit.
The Prophet’s ﷺ Prayer for Him
On a night journey the weary Prophet ﷺ kept slipping in his saddle from drowsiness, and Abu Qatada rode close to hold him upright again and again through the night. In the morning the Prophet ﷺ prayed for him: “O Allah, look after Abu Qatada as he has looked after me tonight.” 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 3 · pp. 385 — Kandhlawi — Abu Qatada holds the dozing Prophet upright through the night; the Prophet's du'a, 'O Allah look after Abu Qatada as he looked after me.' He lived on in Madinah, a narrator of the Prophet’s ﷺ words, and died there.
Life Timeline
Born in Madinah
Of Banu Salima, the Khazraj.
Fights as the Prophet's ﷺ horseman
The Prophet ﷺ prays for him
Dies in Madinah
References
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Abu Qatada the Prophet's ﷺ horseman at Dhu Qarad; his duel and valour Vol 1 · pp. 540
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Abu Qatada holds the dozing Prophet ﷺ upright on a journey; the Prophet's du'a for him Vol 3 · pp. 385