The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made a bond of brotherhood betwe…

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.