It is reported that Imām Ayyūb [Al-Sakhtiyānī] – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “When I hear of the death of a man from Ahl Al-Sunnah, it is as if I have lost a part of my body.”

Al-Lālakā'ī, Sharh Usūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamā’ah, Vol.1 p46.

It is reported that Hammād b. Zayd said, “When the news of the death of a young man from the followers of hadīth reached Ayyūb, [the sorrow] could be seen on him; and when the news of the death of a man who was mentioned as being a devout worshipper would reach him, [it’s effect] on him was not noticed.”

Al-Lālakā'ī, Sharh Usūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamā’ah, Vol.1 p51.

It is also reported that Hammād b. Zayd said, “I was with Ayyūb Al-Sakhtiyānī while he was washing [the body] of Shu’ayb b. Al-Habhāb, saying, ‘Anyone who wishes for the death of a person from Ahl Al-Sunnah has wished for the light of Allāh to be extinguished; but Allāh will keep His light complete, even though the unbelievers may hate it.’ [Sūrah Al-Saff: 8]”

Al-Lālakā'ī, Sharh Usūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamā’ah, Vol.1 p52.

It is reported that Asad b. Mūsā said, “We were with Sufyān b. ‘Uyainah when he was informed of the death of Al-Darāwardī, and he became visibly distressed. [Al-Darāwardī] hadn’t actually died, so we said, ‘We didn’t think you would reach such a state.’ He said, ‘[Al-Darāwardī] is from Ahl Al-Sunnah.’”

Al-Lālakā'ī, Sharh Usūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamā’ah, Vol.1 p72.