Ibn ʿAwn narrated: Muḥammad related to us, and ʿUmar ibn Kathīr ibn Aflah—this is his wording—said:
“Abū Ayyūb came to Muʿāwiyah, who seated him beside himself on the couch, conversed with him, and asked, ‘O Abū Ayyūb, who killed the rider of the piebald horse that kept charging about on such-and-such a day?’ He replied, ‘I did—while you and your father were mounted on the red camel, carrying the banner of unbelief.’ Muʿāwiyah lowered his head, the Syrians bristled and began to speak, whereupon Muʿāwiyah said, ‘Enough! It was not about that that we questioned you.’ (1)

Abū Isḥāq al-Fazārī, on the authority of Ibrāhīm ibn Kathīr, said: I heard ʿUmārah ibn Ghaziyyah say:
‘Abū Ayyūb entered upon Muʿāwiyah and said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke the truth; I heard him say, ‘O Ansar, after me you will witness people being given preference over you, so be patient.’” When these words reached Muʿāwiyah he acknowledged their truth but remarked, “How bold he is! I shall never speak to him again, nor shall a single roof ever shelter us both.”

Immediately Abū Ayyūb set out on campaign. He fell ill, and Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiyah—who was in command of the army—visited him and asked, “Is there anything you need?” He replied, “I have grown only more independent of you and your father; if you wish, position my grave where it will face the enemy …” and so on—the remainder of the report. (2)

Al-Aʿmash, on the authority of Abū Ẓabiyān, said:
‘Abū Ayyūb went forth on a military expedition and became ill. He said, “When I die, carry me; and when you draw up your ranks against the enemy, lay me beneath your feet. Now let me relate to you a ḥadīth I heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: I heard him say, ‘Whoever dies without …’”