Qazi Noorullah Shaheed-e-Salis says in his ‘Majaalis’ about him. The name of Abu Ayub bin Zaid al-Ansari is Khalid but his ‘Kuniyyat’ sur-name dominated his name.
He was a Medinite and therefore one of the eminent Ansar. He was the man at whose house the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a.) took up his lodging, when he migrated from Mecca to Medina. This was considered to be a great honour. He and his mother’s services to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as long as he stayed in his house are well-known.
He was one of those eminent companions, who participated in Badr and other holy battles.
When Safiyyah wife of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) came to her husband’s house, the same night Abu Ayub, having fully armed himself with weapons, had been keeping guard round the tent of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Next morning when the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) saw him, he prayed for him and said,
O Allah! Protect Abu Ayub just as he has protected your Prophet.
In the battles of Jamal (Camel), Siffeen and Nehrwan Abu Ayub was serving Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and was fighting on his side.
It is recorded in the translation of Ibne A’sam-e-Koofi’s ‘Futooh’ that during the days of the battle of Siffeen, when Abu Ayub was fighting on Ameerul Momineen (a.s.)’s side got out of the lines and challenged the enemy in the battle-field. He called them loudly to come on and fight, but none of the Syrians came forward to face him. When he saw that no body came out, he spurred his horse and swooped upon the Syrian army. None of them could stand his attack. He turned towards the main screen of Muawiyah’s camp. Muawiyah was standing near it. He saw Abu Ayub and fled away. Abu Ayub entered the door and came out from another side. Abu Ayub standing at his door challenged them to fight. A group of Syrians, however, came out to face him. Abu Ayub made several attacks on them and wounded some of their notable fight-ers. Then he came back safely to his place. After that Muawiyah entered his tent, pale and dismal looking. He bitterly scolded his own men that a horse-man from Ali (a.s.)’s ranks made such an attack that he entered his tent as if they were all held captives or their hands had been tied up and they had not the power to raise a handful of dust and throw it on the face of his (Ayub’s) horse.
A Syrian whose name was Mutaraffe’ bin Mansoor said, ‘O Muaw-iyah! Be content. Just as that horse-man attacked us and entered the
door-screen of your tent, I will also make an attack and go to the door-screen of Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.). If I see Ali (a.s.) and get an opportunity, I will inflict wound on him and will make you happy.’ So saying, he rode his horse and plunged himself into Ameerul Momineen (a.s.)’s army and ran up to his door. When Abu Ayub saw him, he turned his horse to-wards him. Reaching him he struck his scimitar at his neck and cut it off from side to side and on account of the briskness of his hand and the sharpness of his scimitar, the enemy’s head remained on his neck, but when the horse stumbled, the head fell on one side, and his body fell on the other side of the ground. The people, who were witnessing this scene, were surprised to see the ingenuity with which Abu Ayub inflic-ted the wound and highly praised him for his skill.
During the time of Muawiyah, Abu Ayub went to Rome to fight against the infidels. When he had reached that territory he fell ill. Before he died he made a will that at whatever place there was an encounter with the enemy he should be buried there. Accordingly he was perhaps buried in Istanbul near the ramparts of that city. His Holy tomb is the place, where Muslims and Christians quench their thirst. The author of Isteeaab writes that when the Romans got rid of war, they decided to open his grave, put there was such a terrible rainfall in that area that they gave up their intention.
Sheikh Abbas Qummi (r.a.) says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had already given information about Abu Ayub’s place of burial. He had foretold that one of his pious companions would be buried near the ram-parts of Constantinople.
