He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was an example in performing acts of worship:

‘Aa’ishah said, “The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used tostand in prayer at night until both his feet (or legs)  swelled.” ‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr (a Follower belonging to the generation succeeding the companions) asked ‘Aa’ishah, “Please tell us of the most amazing thing you ever saw about the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.” She paused, then said, “One night he,  sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told me:

“Will you let me worship my Lord tonight?” I said, “By Allah, I love you to be next to me, and I love that you pray to your Lord.” She said: “He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, stood and made ablution without using much water and then stood and prayed and continued crying until his beard was wet from his tears, and then prostrated and continued crying until the earth was wet from his tears. And then he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, turned and lay down and continued crying until Bilaal came to call for the dawn prayer.” When he saw him crying he asked about the reason he cried so hard, to which he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: “O Bilaal, and why shouldn’t I cry and it has been revealed tonight (the verse which means):