at the beginning of Shawwāl (1).

He used to observe devotional retreat for ten days each year, but in the year in which he died, he observed it for twenty days. Gabriel would review the Quran with him once each year, but that year he reviewed it with him twice. He too would recite the Quran to Gabriel once each year, and that year he recited it to him twice (2) (3).

When observing devotional retreat, he would enter his tent alone. During his retreat, he would enter his house only to relieve himself. He would extend his head out of the mosque into ʿĀ’ishah’s room, and she would comb his hair and wash his head while he remained in the mosque, even when she was menstruating (4). Some of his wives would visit him while he was in retreat. When one rose to leave, he would get up with her and escort her home (5); this took place at night (6). During his retreat, he would have no intimate contact with any of his wives, whether by kissing or otherwise (7). His bedding would be laid out for him, and his bed placed where he was observing his retreat. When he went out to relieve himself and passed a sick person on his way, he would neither stop nor (8) inquire after him (9). Once, he observed devotional retreat in a tent