Introduction
Abu al-Darda was a merchant of the Khazraj in Madinah who accepted Islam around the time of Badr. Over time he turned away from business and worldly comfort toward worship and knowledge, until the Prophet joined him in brotherhood with Salman al-Farisi.
The famous story of that brotherhood shows his character: Salman visited his house and found that Abu al-Darda was fasting and wanted to pray all night. Salman reminded him that his Lord, his own soul and his family each have rights, and the Prophet confirmed that Salman spoke the truth.
He was one of the four Ansar who had collected the whole Quran in the Prophet's lifetime. Umar sent him to Syria, where he became the first judge of Damascus and taught the recitation of the Quran to the people of the city. He died there in the 30s AH.
The story
Before Islam
Worked as a merchant of the Khazraj in Madinah (biographical sources).
c. 2 AH
Accepted Islam and became close to the Prophet.
After the Hijrah
Joined in brotherhood with Salman al-Farisi.
Read the wording
Sahih al-Bukhari 1968Sahih Arabic text
قَالَ آخَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْنَ سَلْمَانَ، وَأَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَزَارَ سَلْمَانُ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَرَأَى أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ مُتَبَذِّلَةً. فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا شَأْنُكِ قَالَتْ أَخُوكَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ لَيْسَ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا. فَجَاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَصَنَعَ لَهُ طَعَامًا. فَقَالَ كُلْ. قَالَ فَإِنِّي صَائِمٌ. قَالَ مَا أَنَا بِآكِلٍ حَتَّى تَأْكُلَ. قَالَ …
“The Prophet (ﷺ) made a bond of brotherhood between Salman and Abu Ad-Darda.”
Prophet's lifetime
One of four who had gathered the whole Quran.
Read the wording
Sahih al-Bukhari 5004Sahih Arabic text
قَالَ مَاتَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَمْ يَجْمَعِ الْقُرْآنَ غَيْرُ أَرْبَعَةٍ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ وَمُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ وَزَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ وَأَبُو زَيْدٍ. قَالَ وَنَحْنُ وَرِثْنَاهُ.
“none had collected the Qur'an but four persons”
Umar's caliphate
Settled in Damascus as judge and teacher (biographical sources).
c. 32 AH
Died in Damascus, near the end of Uthman's caliphate.
A day in their footsteps
7 small, repeatable practices from Abu al-Darda's life. Each comes with the Arabic text and English wording of its source, and links to read the full report.
Fasting and prayer with balance
Abu al-Darda fasted regularly and wished to pray the whole night, until his brother Salman made him eat and sleep, and then wake in the last part of the night to pray with him. He accepted the advice and the Prophet affirmed it: give each right its due.
Try this today
Keep worship regular but never at the cost of your health or family.
Sit with this
Is your worship steady enough to last, or intense enough to burn out?
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 1968Sahih … نَمْ. فَنَامَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يَقُومُ. فَقَالَ نَمْ. فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ سَلْمَانُ قُمِ الآنَ. فَصَلَّيَا، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ إِنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ. فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَدَقَ …
“Your Lord has a right on you, your soul has a right on you, and your family has a right on you”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1968Sahih … نَمْ. فَنَامَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يَقُومُ. فَقَالَ نَمْ. فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ سَلْمَانُ قُمِ الآنَ. فَصَلَّيَا، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ إِنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ. فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَدَقَ …
“Salman has spoken the truth”
Never abandoning three habits
He said that his Friend, the Prophet, instructed him in three things he would never leave as long as he lived: three fasts each month, the forenoon prayer, and not sleeping before witr.
Try this today
Choose three small deeds you will keep for life and protect them.
Sit with this
Which three small deeds would you choose to keep for the rest of your life?
Sources
Sahih Muslim 722Sahih … بْنُ رَافِعٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي فُدَيْكٍ، عَنِ الضَّحَّاكِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حُنَيْنٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مُرَّةَ، مَوْلَى أُمِّ هَانِئٍ عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، قَالَ أَوْصَانِي حَبِيبِي صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثٍ لَنْ أَدَعَهُنَّ مَا عِشْتُ بِصِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَصَلاَةِ الضُّحَى وَبِأَنْ لاَ أَنَامَ حَتَّى …
“My Friend (ﷺ) instructed me in three (acts), and I would never abandon them as long as I live”
Sahih Muslim 722Sahih … بْنُ رَافِعٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي فُدَيْكٍ، عَنِ الضَّحَّاكِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حُنَيْنٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مُرَّةَ، مَوْلَى أُمِّ هَانِئٍ عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، قَالَ أَوْصَانِي حَبِيبِي صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثٍ لَنْ أَدَعَهُنَّ مَا عِشْتُ بِصِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَصَلاَةِ الضُّحَى وَبِأَنْ لاَ أَنَامَ حَتَّى …
“I should not sleep till I have observed the Witr prayer”
Fasting in extreme heat
On a journey in a very hot day, only the Prophet and Abdullah ibn Rawahah were fasting. Abu al-Darda recorded this as an example of devotion in difficulty.
Try this today
When able, take on voluntary worship in hard conditions and report it with humility.
Sit with this
What act of worship feels hard right now, and could you offer it anyway?
Source
Sahih al-Bukhari 1945Sahih أَنَّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنَ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ أُمِّ الدَّرْدَاءِ، عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي بَعْضِ أَسْفَارِهِ فِي يَوْمٍ حَارٍّ حَتَّى يَضَعَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ مِنْ شِدَّةِ الْحَرِّ، وَمَا فِينَا صَائِمٌ إِلاَّ مَا كَانَ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَابْنِ رَوَاحَةَ.
“None of us was fasting except the Prophet and Ibn Rawaha”
Du'a for brothers in their absence
Umm al-Darda reported her husband's narration from the Prophet: the du'a of a Muslim for his brother behind his back is answered, and an angel says Amen and wishes the same for him. She asked travelers to make du'a for them using that hadith.
Try this today
Make a du'a for a friend in secret and for the same thing for yourself.
Sit with this
Which friend could you pray for today without ever telling them?
Source
Sahih Muslim 2732bSahih … إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا النَّضْرُ بْنُ شُمَيْلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ سَرْوَانَ، الْمُعَلِّمُ حَدَّثَنِي طَلْحَةُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَرِيزٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَتْنِي أُمُّ الدَّرْدَاءِ، قَالَتْ حَدَّثَنِي سَيِّدِي، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَنْ دَعَا لأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ قَالَ الْمَلَكُ الْمُوَكَّلُ بِهِ آمِينَ وَلَكَ …
“He who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence), the Angel commissioned (for carrying supplication to his Lord) says: Amen, and it is for you also”
Teaching and checking the Quran
In Syria Abu al-Darda asked newcomers who could recite and who recited best, then asked how Ibn Mas'ud recited and compared it with what he had heard from the Prophet. He cared about exact recitation and passed it on.
Try this today
Recite to a teacher and check your recitation, rather than relying on yourself.
Sit with this
Who could listen to your recitation and gently correct it?
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 4943Sahih … عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الشَّأْمَ فَسَمِعَ بِنَا أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ فَأَتَانَا فَقَالَ أَفِيكُمْ مَنْ يَقْرَأُ فَقُلْنَا نَعَمْ. قَالَ فَأَيُّكُمْ أَقْرَأُ فَأَشَارُوا إِلَىَّ فَقَالَ اقْرَأْ. فَقَرَأْتُ{وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى * وَالنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّى * وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى}. قَالَ أَنْتَ سَمِعْتَهَا مِنْ فِي صَاحِبِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ. قَالَ وَأَنَا سَمِعْتُهَا مِنْ فِي النَّبِيِّ صلى …
“Is there anybody among you who can recite (Qur'an)”
Sahih al-Bukhari 5004Sahih قَالَ مَاتَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَمْ يَجْمَعِ الْقُرْآنَ غَيْرُ أَرْبَعَةٍ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ وَمُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ وَزَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ وَأَبُو زَيْدٍ. قَالَ وَنَحْنُ وَرِثْنَاهُ.
“none had collected the Qur'an but four persons”
Guarding the congregational prayer
Late in life Abu al-Darda came home angry and told his wife that of everything the followers of Muhammad used to do, he saw only congregational prayer remaining. It shows the weight he gave to praying in jama'ah.
Try this today
Make the congregational prayer the last thing you would ever miss.
Sit with this
Which prayer would you be most willing to walk to the mosque for this week?
Source
Sahih al-Bukhari 650Sahih حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي قَالَ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ سَالِمًا، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ، تَقُولُ دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ وَهْوَ مُغْضَبٌ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَغْضَبَكَ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَيْئًا إِلاَّ أَنَّهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ جَمِيعًا.
“I do not find the followers of Muhammad doing those good things (which they used to do before) except the offering of congregational prayer”
Seeking righteous company
The tabi'i Alqama prayed two rak'ahs on reaching Syria and asked Allah for a righteous companion, and Abu al-Darda was sent. Their conversation shows the culture of seeking out and teaching good company.
Try this today
Pray for righteous friends, and be that friend for someone.
Sit with this
Are you the kind of friend you would ask Allah to send someone else?
Source
Sahih al-Bukhari 3742Sahih … قَدْ جَاءَ حَتَّى جَلَسَ إِلَى جَنْبِي، قُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا قَالُوا أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ. فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي دَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُيَسِّرَ لِي جَلِيسًا صَالِحًا فَيَسَّرَكَ لِي، قَالَ مِمَّنْ أَنْتَ قُلْتُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ. قَالَ أَوَلَيْسَ عِنْدَكُمُ ابْنُ أُمِّ عَبْدٍ صَاحِبُ النَّعْلَيْنِ وَالْوِسَادِ وَالْمِطْهَرَةِ وَفِيكُمُ الَّذِي أَجَارَهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ عَلَى لِسَانِ …
“I prayed to Allah to bless me with a pious companion and He sent you to me”
Virtues
He was one of four Ansar who had collected the Quran at the time of the Prophet's death.
“Abu Ad-Darda'. Mu`adh bin Jabal, Zaid bin Thabit and Abu Zaid”
Arabic text
قَالَ مَاتَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَمْ يَجْمَعِ الْقُرْآنَ غَيْرُ أَرْبَعَةٍ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ وَمُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ وَزَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ وَأَبُو زَيْدٍ. قَالَ وَنَحْنُ وَرِثْنَاهُ.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5004Sahih
Salman, his brother in faith, was confirmed by the Prophet when he reminded Abu al-Darda of his obligations.
“Salman has spoken the truth”
Arabic text
… نَمْ. فَنَامَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يَقُومُ. فَقَالَ نَمْ. فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ سَلْمَانُ قُمِ الآنَ. فَصَلَّيَا، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ إِنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ. فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَدَقَ …
Sahih al-Bukhari 1968Sahih
Sayings and moments
On the last days of Uthman's rule he said the only thing left of the community's good habits was the congregational prayer.
“except the offering of congregational prayer”
Arabic text
حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي قَالَ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ سَالِمًا، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ، تَقُولُ دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ وَهْوَ مُغْضَبٌ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَغْضَبَكَ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَيْئًا إِلاَّ أَنَّهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ جَمِيعًا.
Sahih al-Bukhari 650Sahih
His narration of the Prophet's teaching that a du'a for a brother in his absence is accompanied by an angel's Amen.
“Amen, and it is for you also”
Arabic text
… إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا النَّضْرُ بْنُ شُمَيْلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ سَرْوَانَ، الْمُعَلِّمُ حَدَّثَنِي طَلْحَةُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَرِيزٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَتْنِي أُمُّ الدَّرْدَاءِ، قَالَتْ حَدَّثَنِي سَيِّدِي، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَنْ دَعَا لأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ قَالَ الْمَلَكُ الْمُوَكَّلُ بِهِ آمِينَ وَلَكَ …
Sahih Muslim 2732bSahih
Words on this page
- Ansarالأنصار
- "The Helpers": the Muslims of Madinah, from the Aws and Khazraj tribes, who welcomed and sheltered the Prophet ﷺ and the emigrants from Makkah.
- Badrبدر
- The first major battle between the Muslims and Quraysh, in 2 AH. Those who fought there hold a special rank among the Companions.
- Du'aدعاء
- Supplication: calling on Allah and asking Him, in any language and at any time.
- Duhaالضحى
- The voluntary forenoon prayer, prayed after the sun has risen well above the horizon and before midday, usually two or more rak'ahs.
- Hadithحديث
- A report of what the Prophet ﷺ said, did or approved, passed down through a chain of narrators.
- Madinahالمدينة
- The city, formerly Yathrib, to which the Prophet ﷺ migrated and where the first Muslim community was built.
- Rak'ahركعة
- One unit of the prayer: standing and reciting, bowing, and two prostrations.
- Witrالوتر
- The odd-numbered prayer that closes the night's prayers, prayed after Isha and before dawn.
Related companions
- سلمان الفارسيSalman al-FarisiSalman al-Farisi, the Persian seeker who found Islam: his balance in worship, daily etiquette and du'a, with…
- عبد الله بن مسعودAbdullah ibn Mas'udEarly Muslim and shepherd boy of Mecca whom the Prophet named first among those to learn the Quran from; a ju…
- معاذ بن جبلMu'adh ibn JabalMu'adh ibn Jabal, the young Ansari scholar sent to teach Yemen: his night prayer, the du'a taught to him, his…
- حذيفة بن اليمانHudhayfah ibn al-YamanHudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, keeper of the Prophet's secret on the hypocrites, who asked about evil to avoid it an…
- عمار بن ياسرAmmar ibn YasirAmmar ibn Yasir, tortured with his parents for Islam, early builder of the Prophet's mosque and martyr at Sif…
Sources and review
- Sunnah.com hadith collections (text confirmed via hadith-api mirror) (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Abu ad-Darda (dates and biography) (opens in a new tab)
Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com. Each report links to sunnah.com, and, where the numbering matches, to al-Hadees or HadithUnlocked as well. Quran verses link to quran.com, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tanzil. The Arabic is taken from the hadith editions and trimmed around the quoted words, so read the full report at the source before relying on it. Grades are the ones those editions give.
This page is pending scholar review. It was compiled from public sources, and its citations were last checked on 7 October 2026. If you notice a mistake or a missing source, please tell us.