The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made a bond of brotherhood between Salmān and Abu Ad-Dardā'. Salmān paid a visit to Abu Ad-Dardā' and found his wife, Um Ad-Dardā', dressed in a shabby manner and asked her why she was in that state. She replied, "Your brother Abu…

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made a bond of brotherhood between Salmān and Abu Ad-Dardā'. Salmān paid a visit to Abu Ad-Dardā' and found his wife, Um Ad-Dardā', dressed in a shabby manner and asked her why she was in that state. She replied, "Your brother Abu Ad-Dardā' is not interested in (the pleasures of) this world." Later, Abu Ad-Dardā' came and prepared a meal for Salmān. Salmān asked Abu Ad-Dardā' to eat with him, but Abu Ad-Dardā' said: "I am fasting." Salmān said: "I am not going to eat unless you eat." So, Abu Ad-Dardā' ate with him. When it was night, Abu Ad-Dardā' got up to offer (voluntary) night prayer, but Salmān told him to sleep and Abu Ad-Dardā' slept. After sometime, Abu Ad-Dardā' again got up to pray but Salmān told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salmān told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayer. Salmān told Abu Ad-Dardā': "Your Lord has a right on you, your own self has a right on you, and your family has a right on you, so give everyone their due rights." Abu Ad-Dardā' came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and narrated the whole story. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Salmān has spoken the truth."

Abu Juhayfa Wahab ibn ‘Abdullāh reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made a bond of brotherhood between Salmān and Abu Ad-Dardā'. Salmān paid a visit to Abu Ad-Dardā' and found his wife, Um Ad-Dardā', dressed in a shabby manner and asked her why she was in that state. She replied: "Your brother Abu Ad-Dardā' is not interested in (the pleasures of) this world." Later, Abu Ad-Dardā' came and prepared a meal for Salmān. Salmān asked Abu Ad-Dardā' to eat with him, but Abu Ad-Dardā' said: "I am fasting." Salmān said: "I am not going to eat unless you eat." So, Abu Ad-Dardā' ate with him. When it was night, Abu Ad-Dardā' got up to offer (voluntary) night prayer, but Salmān told him to sleep and Abu Ad-Dardā' slept. After sometime, Abu Ad-Dardā' again got up to pray but Salmān told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salmān told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayer. Salmān told Abu Ad-Dardā', "Your Lord has a right on you, your own self has a right on you, and your family has a right on you, so give everyone their due rights." Abu Ad-Dardā' came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and narrated the whole story. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Salmān has spoken the truth."

[Sahih/Authentic.] [Al-Bukhari]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) established a bond of brotherhood between Salmān and Abu Ad-Dardā'. Salmān visited Abu Ad-Dardā' and noticed that his wife was not dressed the way a married woman should be dressed (i.e. she dressed shabbily). He asked her about the reason and she answered that his brother, Abu Ad-Dardā', had no interest in the (the pleasures) of the world including his wife and food and everything else. When Abu Ad-Dardā' arrived, he prepared a meal for Salmān and presented it to him while Abu Ad-Dardā' himself was fasting. So, Salmān ordered him to break his fast because he knew that his brother was always fasting. Abu Ad-Dardā' complied with his command. When Abu Ad-Dardā' wished to stay up to pray voluntary night prayer, Salmān ordered him to sleep until it was the last third of the night when they both got up and prayed. Salmān wished thereby to show Abu Ad-Dardā' that a person should not burden himself with continuous fasting and night prayer. Rather, he should pray and fast in a moderate manner that earns him the reward without causing exhaustion and suffering. He should also take care to give his family their due rights including his time, care and companionship.

Categories

Excellence and Merits of Islam, Human Rights in Islam