Yahya ibn Abi Kathir said: “Abu Dharr owned thirty horses that he kept in service. He would outfit fifteen of them and ride them on campaign, while he repaired the tack of the others. When the first group returned, he would take them over, mend their gear, and mount the remainder.”

Thabit al-Bunani narrated: “Abu d-Dardaʾ built himself a dwelling. Abu Dharr passed by and exclaimed, ‘What is this! You are erecting a house whose demolition Allah has already decreed. By Allah, I would rather have seen you wallowing (1) in filth than to see you in the state I now behold you.’”

Husayn al-Muʿallim—on the authority of Ibn Buraidah—related: “When Abu Musa arrived, he met Abu Dharr and began to honor him. Abu Musa was short and slight, whereas Abu Dharr was a dark-skinned man with thick hair. Abu Dharr kept saying, ‘Keep away from me!’ while Abu Musa replied, ‘Welcome, my brother!’ Abu Dharr retorted, ‘I am not your brother; I was your brother before you took office.’ (2)

Umm Talq reported: “I entered upon Abu Dharr and found him disheveled and pale. In his hand was some wool; he had set up two sticks and was spinning with them. I saw nothing else in his house, so I handed him a little flour and barley meal. He said to me, ‘As for your reward, it rests with Allah.’”

It was said that Abu Dharr left behind a daughter, whom ʿUthman took under his care along with his own family.

Al-Fallas, al-Haytham ibn ʿAdi, and others stated that he died in the year 32 AH. It is also said that he passed away in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Another report holds that Ibn Masʿud, who buried him, lived on for about ten days after him.