Al-Wāqidī reported: al-Ḍaḥḥāk ibn ʿUthmān narrated to us, from al-Zuhrī, who said:
Thalaba ibn Abī Mālik related: I heard ʿUthmān say, “Who will relieve me of Ibn Masʿūd? He became angry because I did not appoint him to copy the maṣāḥif (Qurʾānic codices). Why did he not get angry with Abū Bakr and ʿUmar when they removed him from that task and placed Zayd in charge? I have only followed their precedent.” ⦗1⦘

Mughīrah, on the authority of al-Shaʿbī, said:
Ubayy and ʿUmar disputed over the fallen dates from a group of palm trees. Ubayy began to weep and said, “Is this happening under your authority, O ʿUmar?”
ʿUmar replied, “Appoint someone to judge between you and me.”
Ubayy said, “Zayd.”
So they went to him, entered, and presented their case. Zayd said, “Your evidence, O Ubayy.”
He answered, “I have no evidence.”
Zayd said, “Then release the Commander of the Believers from taking an oath.”
ʿUmar responded, “Do not release the Commander of the Believers from the oath if you think it due.” ⦗2⦘ This report is corroborated by Sayyār, on the authority of al-Shaʿbī.

ʿAbd al-Wāḥid ibn Ziyād reported: Ḥajjāj narrated to us, from Nāfiʿ, who said:
ʿUmar appointed Zayd to serve as judge and allotted him a stipend. ⦗3⦘

Al-Wāqidī reported: Ibn Abī al-Zinād, from his father and another transmitter, said:
When ʿUthmān was besieged, Zayd ibn Thābit came to him and entered the house.
ʿUthmān said to him, “You will benefit me more outside the house than inside; go and defend me.”
Zayd went out and began turning the people away, speaking to them about ʿUthmān, until a number of the Anṣār withdrew. He kept proclaiming:
“O Anṣār, be helpers of Allah twice over! Support him, for by Allah, his blood is inviolable.”