When Abū al-Dardāʾ returned, he prepared some food for Salmān, placed it before him and said, “Eat, for I am fasting.” Salmān replied, “Eat with me and break your fast; do not continue fasting.” He had understood from the wife’s remarks that Abū al-Dardāʾ was fasting all the time and had turned away from worldly life, from food, and the like. So Abū al-Dardāʾ ate, then lay down to sleep. Later he rose to pray, but Salmān told him, “Sleep,” so he lay back down. He rose a second time to pray, and again Salmān said, “Sleep.” When the last part of the night arrived, Salmān got up and the two of them prayed together.

The expression “the two of them prayed together” on the surface suggests that they prayed in congregation, though it may simply mean that they prayed at the same time while each prayed individually. Performing voluntary night prayers in congregation is permissible, but it should not be done habitually; rather, only from time to time. The Prophet ﷺ himself occasionally prayed the night prayer in congregation with Ibn ʿAbbās, with Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān, and with ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd. Nevertheless, the scholars state that this practice is to be observed occasionally, not continually.

Salmān then said to him, “Your own self has a right over you, your family has a right over you, and your Lord has a right over you, so give each one who has a right his due.” These are the very words the Prophet ﷺ once spoke to ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ.

This narration shows that a person should not impose upon himself continual fasting and prolonged night vigils. Instead, he should worship in a manner that secures benefit while removing hardship, fatigue, and distress. Allah is the One who grants success.