Hazrat Riyah bin Harith (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates that while Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was sitting in an open place, suddenly a man arrived upon whom the signs of travel were evident. He said: O my friend, peace be upon you. Hazrat Ali asked: Who is this person? The people replied: This is Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him). Then he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Whoever I am a friend to, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) is also his friend.