That is all. (1)
Al-Fisawī (2) narrated: Abū al-Yamān told us, from Jarīr ibn ʿUthmān, from Abū al-Ḥasan ʿImrān ibn Nimrān:
Abū ʿUbaydah would move through the ranks of the army, calling out, “How many a man who keeps his clothes gleaming ends up staining his religion! How many a person who exalts himself is in fact degrading it! Hasten to blot out old sins with newly-won good deeds.” (3)
Thābit al-Banānī reported that Abū ʿUbaydah once said:
“O people! I am a man of Quraysh, yet if any one of you—red or black—outdoes me in God-fearingness, I would wish to be in his very skin.” (4)
Maʿmar narrated from Qatādah that Abū ʿUbaydah ibn al-Jarrāḥ said:
“I wish I were a ram; my family would slaughter me, eat my meat, and drink my broth.” (5)
ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn said, “I wish I were ashes scattered by the wind.” (6)
Shuʿbah narrated, from Qays ibn Muslim, from Ṭāriq:
During the plague ʿUmar wrote to Abū ʿUbaydah: “A pressing matter has arisen, and I cannot manage without you, so come to me quickly.”
When he read the letter he said, “I know what the Commander of the Believers intends: he wishes to keep alive one who is not destined to remain.”
So he wrote back, “I have understood your need. Release me from your command, for I am with an army…"