A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) asking how the Prophet (pbuh) worshipped (Allah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their qworship insufficient and said; "Where are we (in status) compared to the Prophet (pbuh), as his past and future sins have been forgiven?"
Then one of them said, "I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever (and will not sleep)." 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."
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) 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 pray at night and) 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)."
[Narrated by Imam Bukhari]
