Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 40502 — Reports on Uthman (may Allah be)

It is narrated from one of the associates of al-Ajurr, who narrates from two elderly people of Banu Tha'labah, a man and a woman. Both of them said: We passed by the place of al-Rabadhah, and there we saw a dishevelled man with a white beard and white hair. It was said: "This is a Companion of the Messenger." (A delegation came and, on seeing the condition of Sayyiduna Abu Dharr, said:) "Has this man treated you this way? Will you raise a banner for us, so that people may come to you to help you, if you wish?" He said: "O people, do not lay your harm upon me, and do not humiliate the rulers, for whoever humiliates the ruler, Allah will humiliate him too. By Allah, if Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) wanted to crucify me on the longest rope or the longest piece of wood, I would obey this order of his too, be patient with it, hope for reward from Allah, and consider it good for me. If he were to order me to walk from one horizon to the other, or from the east to the west, I would surely hear and obey, be patient, hope for reward from Allah, and consider it good for me."