Desire to be Buried in the Land of the Enemy
The narrator, Muhammad relates that Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) took part in the Battle of Badr and was never absent from any of the battles in which the Muslims fought, except if he was engaged in another battle that was taking place at the same time. In other words, if two battles were taking place at one time, he would certainly be present in one of them.
It was only one year that he did not take part in battle because the commander who was appointed over the army was very young and so, that year, he remained behind from taking part in any battle. After that year, he would always express his regret by saying, “What concern was it of mine as to who was appointed over me? What concern was it of mine as to who was appointed over me? What concern was it of mine as to who was appointed over me?” He repeated this three times.
It is narrated that the youth who was appointed to take command of the army was Abdul Malik bin Marwan. The narrator further states that Hazrat Abu Ayub (ra) fell ill and at the time, Yazid bin Muawiyah was the commander of the army. He came to visit Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) and asked if there was anything he required. Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) replied, “My only desire is that if I pass away, then carry me to the land of the enemy as far as you possible can. When you can no longer carry me, then bury there and return.”
When Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) passed away, he placed him on a mount and as far as it was possible for him, he took him into the enemy’s land and buried him and returned.
The narrator relates that Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) used to say, “God Almighty has stated:
اِنْفِرُوْا خِفَافًا وَّ ثِقَالًا
‘Go forth, light and heavy’ [Ch.9: V.41] and I find myself both light and heavy.”
It is mentioned in a narration of a resident of Mecca that when Yazid bin Muawiyah went to Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra), he told him to convey his salaam and farewell to the people and that they should take him as far as they can go. Yazid therefore informed the people of everything Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) had said to him. The people accepted this and carried his body as far as they possibly could.
Even after the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) continued to perform Jihad up until his demise in Constantinople.