Fighting in the way of Allah is the greatest of all deeds and the best good deed to draw close to Allah, Exalted is He. Allah has ordered us to prepare for it, which includes disciplining the self, preserving its strength, and accustoming it to endure hardships and difficulties. In this hadeeh, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that Aboo Talhah, Zayd ibn Sahl al-Ansaaree (may Allah be pleased with him) would not fast any voluntary fasting in the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, so as to preserve his strength whenever fighting in the way of Allah was required. However, after the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, and when Islam had prevailed and Muslims had overpowered their enemies, he started to offer voluntary fasting to attain the reward of two acts of worship.He (may Allah be pleased with him) was so keen on offering voluntary fasting so much that he would only break his fast on the first day of the two ‘Eids, because it is forbidden to fast on these days. The day of ‘Eid al-Fitr is the first day of the month of Shawwaal, and the first day of ‘Eid al-Adha is the 10th of the month of Thoo al-Hijjah. As for the hadeeths wherein the Prophet ﷺ forbids perpetual fast, as recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, it is said that the reason it is prohibited is because fasting the whole year causes fatigue and makes the person so weak that he would not be able to partake in fighting in the way of Allah or fulfil due rights. It is further said that if a person does not become weak or fatigued because of fasting the whole year, then he is permitted to do it. From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning about the virtue of Aboo Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him), and his great understanding of religion and awareness of the different ranks of good deeds..