Abu Muslim Al-Khawlani (Arabic: أبو مسلم الخولاني) (died 684) was a well-known tabi'i (plural: taba'een) and a prominent religious figure in Damascus, Syria.
[1] Al-‘Ansi’s advisors told him that if he did not banish Abu Muslim from Yemen, he would be a source of Fitnah for his followers.
Abu Muslim said, “His name is ‘Abdullaah ibn Thawb.” ‘Umar said, “Tell me, by Allaah, are you him?” He replied, “By Allaah, yes!” ‘Umar embraced him with tearful eyes then seated him between him and Abu Bakr and said, “Praise be to Allaah who did not take my soul until I saw a man from the nation of Muhammad to whom was done what was done to Ibraaheem Al-Khaleel.’” Historian of Islam David Cook cites another story: "We [the Muslim troops] came from the land of the Byzantines returning [from battle]; when we had left Homs going towards Damascus we passed by a cultivated place which is near Homs—about four miles—at the end of the night.
He said: 'When you come to him, greet him with the peace, and inform him that we find him in the Holy Books as a companion of Jesus son of Mary'."
His last request to his commander was: "Put me in charge of the Muslims who died fighting with you, and tie for me a banner of military command over them, and make my grave the furthest of all graves [and the nearest] to the enemy, since I wish to arrive on Resurrection Day carrying their banner.