The death of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) and his final counsel

It is narrated from Muhammad bin Sirin that Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) took part in the Battle of Badr with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). After that there was no campaign of the Muslims in which he did not take part, except for one year: when a young man was appointed commander over the army, he stayed behind that year. Later he used to regret it and say: "What concern is it of mine who is appointed over me? What concern is it of mine who is appointed over me?" Then he fell ill while Yazid bin Mu'awiyah was leading the army. He came to visit him and asked: "What is your need?" He said: "My need is that when I die, you mount, then advance into the land of the enemy as far as you find room to go, and when the way comes to an end, bury me there and then return." The narrator says: Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say (while reciting this saying of Allah Almighty): "Go forth, whether light or heavy" [Surah al-Tawbah: 41], and I find myself only either light or heavy.

It is narrated from al-Hakam that Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) took part alongside Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) in Harura' (the battle against the Khawarij).