Ishaq al-Azraq narrated, from Ibn ʿAwn (1), from Ibn Sirin:
The Prophet ﷺ said to Abu ad-Dardaʾ, “O ʿUwaymir! Salman is more knowledgeable than you. Do not devote the night of Friday exclusively to standing in prayer, nor its day exclusively to fasting.” (2)
Misʿar narrated from ʿAmr ibn Murrah, from Abu’l-Bakhtari, from ʿAli, who said:
“Salman pursued the earliest knowledge and the latest knowledge, and what he possesses cannot be fully encompassed.” (3)
Hibban ibn ʿAli reported: Ibn Jurayj told us, from Abu Harb ibn Abi al-Aswad, from his father, and from a man, from Zadhan, who said:
“We were in the presence of ʿAli and said, ‘Tell us about Salman.’ He replied, ‘Where will you find anyone like Luqman the Wise? He is one of us and belongs to us, the People of the Household. He mastered the earliest knowledge and the latest knowledge; he is an ocean whose depths cannot be exhausted.’” (4)
(1) In the printed edition the word was mistakenly altered to “Abi.”
(2) Reported by Ahmad, 6/444, without the phrase “Salman knows more than you”; by Ibn Saad, 4/1/61, in an expanded form; and by al-Bukhari—no. 1968 in the Book of Fasting, chapter “One who adjures his brother to break the fast,” and no. 6139 in the Book of Manners, chapter “Preparing food and making an effort for the guest”—as well as by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2415 in the Book of Zuhd, chapter “Give everyone his due.” Both Bukhari and Tirmidhi transmit it through the chain: Abi al-Umays, from Awn b. Abi Juhayfa, from his father, who said: “The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, established a bond of brotherhood between Salman and Abu al-Darda. Salman visited Abu al-Darda and found Umm al-Darda appearing unkempt. He asked, ‘What is the matter?’ She replied, ‘Your brother Abu al-Darda has no interest in worldly things.’ Abu al-Darda then arrived and prepared food for Salman, saying, ‘Eat.’ Salman answered, ‘I am fasting.’ Abu al-Darda said, ‘I will not eat until you eat,’ so Salman ate. During the night Abu al-Darda arose to pray; Salman said, ‘Sleep,’ and he slept. He arose again and Salman said, ‘Sleep.’ When the last part of the night came Salman said, ‘Now get up,’ and they prayed together. Salman then told him, ‘Your Lord has a right over you, your own self has a right over you, and your family has a right over you; give each right-holder his due.’ Abu al-Darda went to the Prophet and related this, and the Prophet replied, ‘Salman has spoken the truth.’ ”
(3) Recorded by Ibn Saad, 4/1/61, and by Abu Nuaym in Hilyat al-awliya, 1/187; see also al-Istiab, 4/223.
(4) Recorded by Ibn Saad, 4/1/61, and by Abu Nuaym in Hilyat al-awliya, 1/187; see also al-Istiab, 4/224, and Usd al-ghaba, 2/420.