When we entered Medina, I bade him farewell and went to my home. Two-thirds of the night had passed, and one-third remained, so I slept. When the caller to prayer (mu'adhdhin) called, I arose, performed a perfect ablution, and said to myself: 'I shall pray today with So-and-so and So-and-so, and I shall see if they know what happened regarding their condition and my action upon them.'

When the morning brightened, the people gathered for prayer, but they [the two] did not come out for it, and neither Zazamud nor Sakad attended. A messenger was sent to them, and he returned informing [the people] that they had been afflicted with an illness the previous night and that they had awakened feverish. The prayer was established, the people prayed, and I went out until I reached my Master, the Commander of the Believers—may His Might be glorified. When I entered upon Him, He said to me: 'O Salman your two companions have awakened feverish and have not come out for the prayer.' I said: 'Yes, O my Master, that has indeed happened.'

My Master—may His Might be glorified—said: 'And they shall not come out for it for forty full days. Go and visit them along with those who visit them. If anyone asks them about their condition, listen to what they say and how they explain it to the inquirer. When their gathering is empty of visitors, ask them about their condition and what they reveal regarding the beginning of their illness and what pain they are experiencing.