Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when Hazrat Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah have mercy on him) was sent as the governor of Basra, Hazrat Bara bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was also sent with him. And he was among his ministers. Hazrat Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say to him: "You should also choose some responsibility." Upon this, Hazrat Bara (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Will you give me the position that I ask from you?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "Yes!" He said: "Indeed, I do not ask you for the position of overseeing the city or collecting taxes, but you give me my bow, my horse, my spear, and my sword, and let me go forth to strive in the path of Allah." So he (may Allah be pleased with him) sent him as the commander over the army, and he was the first among them to be martyred.