Arabic (Original)
وَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَعَثَ إِلَى مُؤْتَةَ فَاسْتَعْمَلَ زَيْدًا فَإِنْ قُتِلَ زَيْدٌ فَجَعْفَرٌ فَإِنْ قُتِلَ جَعْفَرٌ فَابْنُ رَوَاحَةَ فَتَخَلَّفَ ابْنُ رَوَاحَةَ فَجَمَّعَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَرَآهُ فَقَالَ مَا خَلَّفَكَ قَالَ أُجَمِّعُ مَعَكَ قَالَ لَغَدْوَةٌ أَوْ رَوْحَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا.
English Translation
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent (an army) to Mu'tah and appointed Zayd as commander. (He said:) 'If Zayd is killed, then Ja'far (takes command). If Ja'far is killed, then Ibn Rawahah.' Ibn Rawahah stayed behind and attended the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). The Prophet saw him and said: 'What kept you behind?' He said: 'I wanted to attend Friday prayer with you.' He said: 'A morning or evening expedition in the way of Allah is better than the world and everything in it.'