Abu Uthman al-Nahdi narrated: I hosted Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) for seven days; with him were his wife and his servant. They had assigned turns for the third parts of the night: one would stand (in prayer) while the other slept, and when this one stood, the other would sleep. And I heard Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) say: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) distributed dates, and my share was seven dates. Among them was one spoiled, dry date, and it was the most beloved to me; it made my chewing of the dates stronger. Sulaiman said: That is, it had strength. The narrator said: I asked, "Abu Hurairah! How do you fast in the month?" He replied: "I fast three days at the beginning of the month, so if any issue arises for me, I have the reward for the whole month."