A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ asking how the Prophet ﷺ worshipped (Allah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, "Where are we from the Prophet ﷺ as his past and future sins have been forgiven." Then one of them said, "I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever." The other said, "I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast." The third said, "I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever." Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to them and said, "Are you the same people who said so-and-so? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers).  

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ ؓ يَقُولُ جَاءَ ثَلاَثَةُ رَهْطٍ إِلَى بُيُوتِ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يَسْأَلُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَلَمَّا أُخْبِرُوا كَأَنَّهُمْ تَقَالُّوهَا فَقَالُوا وَأَيْنَ نَحْنُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَدْ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ قَالَ أَحَدُهُمْ أَمَّا أَنَا فَإِنِّي أُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ أَبَدًا وَقَالَ آخَرُ أَنَا أَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ وَلاَ أُفْطِرُ وَقَالَ آخَرُ أَنَا أَعْتَزِلُ النِّسَاءَ فَلاَ أَتَزَوَّجُ أَبَدًا فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَنْتُمُ الَّذِينَ قُلْتُمْ كَذَا وَكَذَا أَمَا وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَأَتْقَاكُمْ لَهُ لَكِنِّي أَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأُصَلِّي وَأَرْقُدُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي  

I will not marry women; someone among them said: I will not eat meat; and someone among them said: I will not lie down in bed. He (the Holy Prophet) praised Allah and glorified Him, and said: What has happened to these people that they say so and so, whereas I observe prayer and sleep too; I observe fast and suspend observing them; I marry women also? And he who turns away from my Sunnah, he has no relation with Me  

أَنَّ نَفَرًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ سَأَلُوا أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ عَمَلِهِ فِي السِّرِّ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ أَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ آكُلُ اللَّحْمَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ أَنَامُ عَلَى فِرَاشٍ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ قَالُوا كَذَا وَكَذَا لَكِنِّي أُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي  

It was narrated from Anas that there was a group of the Companions of the Prophet, one of whom said: "I will not marry women." Another said: "I will not eat meat." Another said: "I will not sleep on a bed." Another said: "I will fast and not break my fast." News of that reached the Messenger of Allah and he praised Allah then said: "What is the matter with people who say such and such? But I pray and I sleep, I fast and I break my fast, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me."  

أَنَّ نَفَرًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ أَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ آكُلُ اللَّحْمَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ أَنَامُ عَلَى فِرَاشٍ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَصُومُ فَلاَ أُفْطِرُ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ يَقُولُونَ كَذَا وَكَذَا لَكِنِّي أُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي  

"My father got me married to a woman and he came to visit her and said: 'What do you think of your husband?' She said: 'What a wonderful man he is. He does not sleep at night and he does not break his fast during the day.' He got upset with me and said: 'I got you married to a woman from among the Muslims and you have neglected her.' I did not pay attention to what he said because of my energy and love of worship. News of that reached the Prophet and he said: 'But I stand (in prayer) and I sleep, I fast and I break my fast. So stand (in prayer) and sleep, fast and break your fast.' He said: 'Fast three days of every month.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'O bserve the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him: fast one day and break your fast one day.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Read the Quran (once) every month.' Then it ended up being every fifteen days, and I still said: 'I am able to do more than that."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."  

نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ لاَ يَنَامُ اللَّيْلَ وَلاَ يُفْطِرُ النَّهَارَ فَوَقَعَ بِي وَقَالَ زَوَّجْتُكَ امْرَأَةً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَعَضَلْتَهَا قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ لاَ أَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ مِمَّا أَرَى عِنْدِي مِنَ الْقُوَّةِ وَالاِجْتِهَادِ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ لَكِنِّي أَنَا أَقُومُ وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ فَقُمْ وَنَمْ وَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ قَالَ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ صُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا قُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ اقْرَإِ الْقُرْآنَ فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثُمَّ انْتَهَى إِلَى خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَنَا أَقُولُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ  

The Prophet ﷺ called 'Uthman b. Maz'un. When he came to him, he said: 'Uthman, did you dislike my practice ? He said: No, by Allah, but I seek your practice. He said: I sleep, I pray, I keep fast, I (sometimes) leave fast, and I marry women. Fear Allah, 'Uthman, your wife has a right on you, your guest has a right on you, your self has a right on you ; you should keep fast and (sometimes) leave fast, and pray and sleep.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ بَعَثَ إِلَى عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مَظْعُونٍ فَجَاءَهُ فَقَالَ يَا عُثْمَانُ أَرَغِبْتَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي قَالَ لاَ وَاللَّهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ سُنَّتَكَ أَطْلُبُ قَالَ فَإِنِّي أَنَامُ وَأُصَلِّي وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَنْكِحُ النِّسَاءَ فَاتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَا عُثْمَانُ فَإِنَّ لأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِضَيْفِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَصَلِّ وَنَمْ  

It was narrated from Anas that there was a group of the Companions of the Prophet, one of whom said: "I will not marry women." Another said: "I will not eat meat." Another said: "I will not sleep on a bed." Another said: "I will fast and not break my fast." News of that reached the Messenger of Allah and he praised Allah then said: "What is the matter with people who say such and such? But I pray and I sleep, I fast and I break my fast, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 3217)   

أَنَّ نَفَرًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ لَا أَتَزَوَّجُ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أُصَلِّي وَلَا أَنَامُ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَصُومُ وَلَا أُفْطِرُ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ قَالُوا كَذَا وَكَذَا لَكِنِّي أَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي  

[Machine] "Some people asked the wives of the Prophet ﷺ about his worship in secret. They praised and glorified Allah, then said, "What is the matter with some people asking about what I do? As for me, I pray, sleep, fast, break my fast, and marry women. Whoever dislikes my Sunnah is not one of me."  

أَنَّ نَاسًا سَأَلُوا أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ فِي السِّرِّ قَالَ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ يَسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا أَصْنَعُ أَمَّا أَنَا فَأُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي  

I will not marry women; someone among them said: I will not eat meat; and someone among them said: I will not lie down in bed. He (the Holy Prophet) praised Allah and glorified Him, and said: What has happened to these people that they say so and so, whereas I observe prayer and sleep too; I observe fast and suspend observing them; I marry women also? And he who turns away from my Sunnah, he has no relation with Me (Using translation from Muslim 1401)  

أَنَّ نَفَرًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ سَأَلُوا أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ عَمَلِهِ فِي السِّرِّ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا أَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا آكُلُ اللَّحْمَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا أَنَامُ عَلَى فِرَاشٍ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَصُومُ وَلَا أُفْطِرُ فَقَامَ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ قَالُوا كَذَا وَكَذَا لَكِنْ أُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي  

[Machine] I entered with Yazid bin Ja'dah to a man from the Ansar, a companion of the Prophet ﷺ, and he mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ a group from the descendants of Abdul-Muttalib, and he said, "They stand in prayer during the night and fast during the day." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then said, "But I sleep, I pray, I fast, and I break my fast. Whoever follows my way, he is from me, and whoever opposes my Sunnah, he is not from me. Indeed, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to Hellfire."  

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَيَحْيَى بْنُ جَعْدَةَ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الرَّسُولِ ﷺ قَالَ ذَكَرُوا عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مَوْلَاةً لِبَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَقَالَ إِنَّهَا تَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَتَصُومُ النَّهَارَ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لَكِنِّي أَنَا أَنَامُ وَأُصَلِّي وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ فَمَنْ اقْتَدَى بِي فَهُوَ مِنِّي وَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي إِنَّ لِكُلِّ عَمَلٍ شِرَّةً ثُمَّ فَتْرَةً فَمَنْ كَانَتْ فَتْرَتُهُ إِلَى بِدْعَةٍ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ وَمَنْ كَانَتْ فَتْرَتُهُ إِلَى سُنَّةٍ فَقَدْ اهْتَدَى  

[Machine] Khawlah bint Hakim ibn Umayyah ibn Harithah ibn Al-Awqas Al-Sulamiyah entered upon me. She was with Uthman ibn Maz'un. She said, "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, saw the dress of Khawlah and asked me, 'O Aisha, what is the situation of Khawlah's dress?' So I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, she is a woman with no husband. She fasts during the day and prays at night. She is like someone who has no husband, so she neglects herself and wastes away.' Khawlah said, 'So the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, sent for Uthman ibn Maz'un, and he came. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said to him, 'O Uthman, would you like to deviate from my Sunnah?' He said, 'No, by Allah, O Messenger of Allah, but rather I seek your Sunnah.' The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, 'Indeed, I sleep, I pray, I fast, I break my fast, and I marry women. So fear Allah, O Uthman, for your family has a right over you, your guests have a right over you, and you have a right over yourself. So fast and break your fast, pray and sleep.'"  

دَخَلَتْ عَلَيَّ خُوَيْلَةُ بِنْتُ حَكِيمِ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ حَارِثَةَ بْنِ الْأَوْقَصِ السُّلَمِيَّةُ وَكَانَتْ عِنْدَ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مَظْعُونٍ قَالَتْ فَرَأَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَذَاذَةَ هَيْئَتِهَا فَقَالَ لِي يَا عَائِشَةُ مَا أَبَذَّ هَيْئَةَ خُوَيْلَةَ؟ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ امْرَأَةٌ لَا زَوْجَ لَهَا يَصُومُ النَّهَارَ وَيَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ فَهِيَ كَمَنْ لَا زَوْجَ لَهَا فَتَرَكَتْ نَفْسَهَا وَأَضَاعَتْهَا قَالَتْ فَبَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مَظْعُونٍ فَجَاءَهُ فَقَالَ يَا عُثْمَانُ أَرَغْبَةً عَنْ سُنَّتِي؟ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا وَاللهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَلَكِنْ سُنَّتَكَ أَطْلُبُ قَالَ فَإِنِّي أَنَامُ وَأُصَلِّي وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَنْكِحُ النِّسَاءَ فَاتَّقِ اللهَ يَا عُثْمَانُ فَإِنَّ لِأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِضَيْفِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَصَلِّ وَنَمْ  

[Machine] "When it came to the matter of Uthman ibn Madhun, who was known for his abstention from women, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent a messenger to him and said, 'O Uthman, I have not been commanded to adopt a monastic lifestyle. Have you turned away from my Sunnah?' Uthman replied, 'No, O Messenger of Allah.' The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Verily, it is from my Sunnah to pray, sleep, fast, give charity, get married, and divorce. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me, O Uthman. Indeed, your family has rights over you, and you have rights over yourself.' Saad said, 'By Allah, all the men among the Muslims were united in their acknowledgement that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ showed special preference to Uthman regarding his choice to abstain from women.'"  

لَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مَظْعُونٍ الَّذِي كَانَ مِنْ تَرْكِ النِّسَاءِ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «يَا عُثْمَانُ إِنِّي لَمْ أُومَرْ بِالرَّهْبَانِيَّةِ أَرَغِبْتَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي؟» قَالَ لَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ «إِنَّ مِنْ سُنَّتِي أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ وَأَنَامَ وَأَصُومَ وَأَطْعَمَ وَأَنْكِحَ وَأُطَلِّقَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي يَا عُثْمَانُ إِنَّ لِأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا» قَالَ سَعْدٌ فَوَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ كَانَ أَجْمَعَ رِجَالٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ عَلَى أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنْ هُوَ أَقَرَّ عُثْمَانَ عَلَى مَا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ نَخْتَصِيَ فَنَتَبَتَّلَ  

I will not marry women; someone among them said: I will not eat meat; and someone among them said: I will not lie down in bed. He (the Holy Prophet) praised Allah and glorified Him, and said: What has happened to these people that they say so and so, whereas I observe prayer and sleep too; I observe fast and suspend observing them; I marry women also? And he who turns away from my Sunnah, he has no relation with Me (Using translation from Muslim 1401)  

أَنَّ نَفَرًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ سَأَلُوا أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ عَمَلِهِ فِي السِّرِّ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا أَتَزَوَّجُ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا آكُلُ اللَّحْمَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا أَنَامُ عَلَى فِرَاشٍ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ قَالُوا كَذَا وَكَذَا لَكِنِّي أُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي»  

A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ asking how the Prophet ﷺ worshipped (Allah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, "Where are we from the Prophet ﷺ as his past and future sins have been forgiven." Then one of them said, "I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever." The other said, "I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast." The third said, "I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever." Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to them and said, "Are you the same people who said so-and-so? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers). (Using translation from Bukhārī 5063)  

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يَقُولُ جَاءَ ثَلَاثَةُ رَهْطٍ إِلَى بُيُوتِ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يَسْأَلُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَلَمَّا أُخْبِرُوا كَأَنَّهُمْ تَقَالُّوهَا فَقَالُوا وَأَيْنَ نَحْنُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَدْ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ؟ قَالَ أَحَدُهُمْ أَمَّا أَنَا فَإِنِّي أُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ أَبَدًا وَقَالَ الْآخَرُ أَنَا أَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ وَلَا أُفْطِرُ وَقَالَ الْآخَرُ أَنَا أَعْتَزِلُ النِّسَاءَ وَلَا أَتَزَوَّجُ أَبَدًا فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فقَالَ «أَنْتُمُ الَّذِي قُلْتُمْ كَذَا وَكَذَا؟ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَأَتْقَاكُمْ لَهُ لَكِنِّي أَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأُصَلِّي وَأَرْقُدُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي»  

[Machine] It was mentioned to the Prophet ﷺ that there was a freed slave of the Bani Abd al-Muttalib who prayed all night and did not sleep, fasted continuously without breaking his fast. The Prophet ﷺ said, "As for me, I pray and sleep, fast and break my fast. For every deed, there is a span (of time), and for every span (of time), there is an interval. Whoever follows the interval according to the Sunnah, is guided, and whoever goes beyond that, is astray."  

ذُكِرَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ مَوْلًى لِبَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ يُصَلِّي وَلَا يَنَامُ وَيَصُومُ وَلَا يُفْطِرُ فَقَالَ «أَنَا أُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَلِكُلِّ عَمِلٍ شِرَّةٌ وَلِكُلِّ شِرَّةٍ فَتْرَةٌ فَمَنْ يَكُنْ فَتْرَتُهُ إِلَى السُّنَّةِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَى وَمَنْ يَكُ إِلَى غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ»  

"My father got me married to a woman and he came to visit her and said: 'What do you think of your husband?' She said: 'What a wonderful man he is. He does not sleep at night and he does not break his fast during the day.' He got upset with me and said: 'I got you married to a woman from among the Muslims and you have neglected her.' I did not pay attention to what he said because of my energy and love of worship. News of that reached the Prophet and he said: 'But I stand (in prayer) and I sleep, I fast and I break my fast. So stand (in prayer) and sleep, fast and break your fast.' He said: 'Fast three days of every month.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'O bserve the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him: fast one day and break your fast one day.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Read the Quran (once) every month.' Then it ended up being every fifteen days, and I still said: 'I am able to do more than that."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2390)  

نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ لَا يَنَامُ اللَّيْلَ وَلَا يُفْطِرُ النَّهَارَ فَوَقَعَ بِي وَقَالَ زَوَّجْتُكَ امْرَأَةً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَعَضَلْتَهَا قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ لَا أَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ مِمَّا أَرَى عِنْدِي مِنَ الْقُوَّةِ وَالِاجْتِهَادِ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ «لَكِنِّي أَنَا أَقُومُ وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ فَقُمْ وَنَمْ وَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ» قَالَ «صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ» قُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا» قُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «اقْرَأْ الْقُرْآنَ فِي شَهْرٍ» ثُمَّ انْتَهَى إِلَى خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَنَا أَقُولُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ  

A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ asking how the Prophet ﷺ worshipped (Allah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, "Where are we from the Prophet ﷺ as his past and future sins have been forgiven." Then one of them said, "I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever." The other said, "I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast." The third said, "I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever." Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to them and said, "Are you the same people who said so-and-so? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers). (Using translation from Bukhārī 5063)   

جَاءَ ثَلَاثَةُ رَهْطٍ إِلَى أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يَسْأَلُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَلَمَّا أُخْبِرُوا بِهَا كَأَنَّهُمْ تَقَالُّوهَا فَقَالُوا وَأَيْنَ نَحْنُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ؟ فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمْ أَمَّا أَنَا فَأُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ أَبَدًا وَقَالَ الْآخَرُ إِنِّي أَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ فَلَا أُفْطِرُ وَقَالَ الْآخَرُ أَنَا أَعْتَزِلُ النِّسَاءَ وَلَا أَتَزَوَّجُ أَبَدًا فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ أَنْتُمُ الَّذِينَ قُلْتُمْ كَذَا وَكَذَا أَمَا إِنِّي لَأَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ ﷻ وَأَتْقَاكُمْ لَهُ لَكِنِّي أَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأُصَلِّي وَأَرْقُدُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي  

It was narrated from Anas that there was a group of the Companions of the Prophet, one of whom said: "I will not marry women." Another said: "I will not eat meat." Another said: "I will not sleep on a bed." Another said: "I will fast and not break my fast." News of that reached the Messenger of Allah and he praised Allah then said: "What is the matter with people who say such and such? But I pray and I sleep, I fast and I break my fast, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 3217)   

أَنَّ نَفَرًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ سَأَلُوا أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ سَرِيرَتِهِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا أَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا آكُلُ اللَّحْمَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا أَنَامُ عَلَى فِرَاشٍ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَصُومُ وَلَا أُفْطِرُ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَامَ وَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ قَالُوا كَذَا وَكَذَا لَكِنِّي أُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي لَفْظُ حَدِيثِ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ وَحَدِيثِ الرُّوذْبَارِيِّ مُخْتَصَرٌ لَيْسَ فِيهِ حِكَايَةُ أَقْوَالِهِمْ  

"أمَّا واللهِ إنِّي لأخشاكم لله ، وأتقاكُم له، لكنِّى أصومُ وأُفْطِرُ، وأُصلِّى، وَأَرْقُدُ، وأتزوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ، فمن رَغِبَ عن سُنَّتِى فلَيسَ مِنِّي".  

"أَنَا أَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأُصَلِّى وَأَنَامُ، وَلِكُلِّ عَمَل شِرَّةٌ، ولكلِّ شِرَّةٍ فَتْرَةٌ فمن تَكُنْ فَتْرَتُه إِلى السُّنَّةِ فَقَد اهْتَدَى، وَمَنْ تَكُنْ فَتْرَتُهُ إِلى غَيْر ذلك فقد ضل" .  

"مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ قَالُوا: كَذَا وَكَذَا، لَكِنِّى أُصَلِّى وَأَنَامُ، وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ، وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ، فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِى فَلَيسَ مِنِّي".  

" عَنْ جَعْدَةَ بْنِ هُبَيْرَةَ قَالَ: ذُكِرَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ مَوْلًى لِبَنِى عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ يُصَلِّى وَلَا يَنَامُ، وَيَصُومُ وَلَا يُفْطِرُ، فَقَالَ: أَنَا أُصَلِّى وَأَنَامُ، وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِر، وَلِكُلِّ عَمَلٍ شِرَّةٌ (* *)، وَلِكُلّ شِرَّةٍ فَتْرَةٌ (* * *)، فَمَنْ تَكُنْ فَتْرَتُهُ إِلَى السُّنَّةِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَى، وَمَنْ تَكُنْ إِلَى غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ".  

"يَا عُثْمَانُ: أَرَغِبْتَ عَنْ سُنَّتِى؟ فَإِنِّى أَنَامُ وَأُصَلِّى، وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ، وَأَنْكِحُ النِّسَاءَ، فَاتَّقِ الله يَا عُثْمَانُ؛ فَإِنَّ لأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّا، وَإِنَ لِضَيْفِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّا، وَإِن لِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّا، فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ، وَصَلِّ وَنَمْ".