He went on: “One day I heard him say, ‘I have bound myself to Allah with a pledge—one I will never break in His presence, ever.’ I asked, ‘What is it, Abū ʿUbayda?’ He replied, ‘Hold your tongue, Ḥusayn.’ I said, ‘Do you not hope that by telling me you will obtain a benefit greater than mere example?’ “Indeed,” he said. I pressed, “Then tell me.” He answered, “I pledged to Him that He would never see me eating during the daytime—ever—until I meet Him.”

Ḥusayn adds: When illness would grow severe, his brothers would strive with all their effort to make him take anything, but he kept refusing until he passed away—may Allah have mercy on him.