Ayyūb ibn Suwayd, on the authority of Ibn Jābir, reported to us from al-Qāsim Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, who said:

“We campaigned with Faḍālah ibn ʿUbayd—and this was the only land expedition he ever undertook. While we were pressing on at a fast pace, with him acting as commander of the army—at a time when governors still listened to the people Allah had placed in their care—someone called out, ‘Commander! The troops have strung out behind us; halt until they can catch up.’

“So he halted in a meadow topped by a fortress, and there we encountered a ruddy-complexioned man with a mustache. We brought him to Faḍālah and said, ‘He has come down from the stronghold without any pledge of safety.’

“Faḍālah questioned him, and the man replied, ‘Last night I ate pork and drank wine. Then, in my sleep, two men came and washed out my stomach, after which two women approached me and said, “Embrace Islam.” So I have become a Muslim.’

“No sooner had he spoken than we were pelted with zibār (1); one of the missiles struck him, snapping his neck.

“Faḍālah exclaimed, ‘Allah is Greatest! He did little yet earned a great reward!’

“We offered the funeral prayer over him and then buried him (2).”

Al-Walīd ibn Muslim related: Khālid ibn Yazīd narrated to us from his father:

“Abū al-Dardāʾ was judge over Damascus. When he lay on his death-bed, Muʿāwiyah came to visit him and asked, ‘Whom do you recommend for the office after you?’

“He replied, ‘Faḍālah ibn ʿUbayd.’

“After Abū al-Dardāʾ passed away, Muʿāwiyah said to Faḍālah, ‘I have appointed you to the judiciary.’

“Faḍālah sought to be excused, whereupon Muʿāwiyah said, ‘By Allah, I have not shown you any personal favor; rather, I am shielding myself from the Fire through you—so shield yourself from it as best you can.’ (3)”

Saʿīd ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz said: “When Muʿāwiyah marched to Ṣiffīn, he appointed Faḍālah as governor over Damascus (4).”

Ibrāhīm ibn Hishām al-Ghassānī said: “My father told me, on the authority of my grandfather, that an incident occurred…"