He fought in the Battle of Mu'tah. It is said that soon after this, he fell ill and "was not mentioned at" the conquest of Mecca, the ambush at Hunayn or the siege of Ta'if. However, an alternative tradition indicates that he did in fact fight at Hunayn. When his wife asked him what plunder he had brought back from this battle, he replied: "This needle. You can sew your garments with it," and he gave her his bloodstained sword. Later Muhammad ordered anyone who had taken anything from the plunder to return it. Aqeel told Fatima, "By Allah, I think your needle is gone!" and threw his sword into the plunder.