"It was not for the people of Medina and those around them of the Bedouins to remain behind the Messenger of Allah." This refers to the Battle of Tabuk. "Nor to prefer their own lives to his. That is because they," meaning those who went out among them.
"No thirst strikes them," meaning hunger, "nor fatigue," in their bodies, "nor starvation," meaning hunger.
"Nor do they tread any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction, but that it is written for them as a righteous deed."
Yahya reported from Abd al-Rahman ibn Yazid, from Abu al-Musabbah, who said: We went on a military expedition with Malik ibn Abd Allah al-Khath'ami to the land of the Byzantines. A man preceded the people, then he descended to walk while leading his horse. Malik said to him, "O servant of Allah, will you not ride?" He replied, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)..."
