"We were with ʿAisha discussing the regularity of offering the prayer and dignifying it. She said, 'When Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell sick with the fatal illness and when the time of prayer became due and Adhan was pronounced, he said, 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.' He was told that Abu Bakr was a softhearted man and would not be able to lead the prayer in his place. The Prophet ﷺ gave the same order again but he was given the same reply. He gave the order for the third time and said, 'You (women) are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.' So Abu Bakr came out to lead the prayer. In the meantime the condition of the Prophet ﷺ improved a bit and he came out with the help of two men one on each side. As if I was observing his legs dragging on the ground owing to the disease. Abu Bakr wanted to retreat but the Prophet ﷺ beckoned him to remain at his place and the Prophet ﷺ was brought till he sat beside Abu Bakr." Al-Aʿmash was asked, "Was the Prophet ﷺ praying and Abu Bakr following him, and were the people following Abu Bakr in that prayer?" Al- Aʿmash replied in the affirmative with a nod of his head. Abu Muawiya said, "The Prophet ﷺ was sitting on the left side of Abu Bakr who was praying while standing."  

كُنَّا عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ ؓ فَذَكَرْنَا الْمُوَاظَبَةَ عَلَى الصَّلاَةِ وَالتَّعْظِيمَ لَهَا قَالَتْ لَمَّا مَرِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَحَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَأُذِّنَ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ إِذَا قَامَ فِي مَقَامِكَ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ وَأَعَادَ فَأَعَادُوا لَهُ فَأَعَادَ الثَّالِثَةَ فَقَالَ إِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَخَرَجَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى فَوَجَدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ كَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ رِجْلَيْهِ تَخُطَّانِ مِنَ الْوَجَعِ فَأَرَادَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَنْ يَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَنْ مَكَانَكَ ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِهِ حَتَّى جَلَسَ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ قِيلَ لِلأَعْمَشِ وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِصَلاَتِهِ وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ بِرَأْسِهِ نَعَمْ رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ بَعْضَهُ وَزَادَ أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ جَلَسَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي قَائِمًا  

When the Prophet, became ill in his fatal illness, Someone came to inform him about the prayer, and the Prophet ﷺ told him to tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer. I said, "Abu Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands for the prayer in your place, he would weep and would not be able to recite the Qur'an." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer." I said the same as before. He (repeated the same order and) on the third or the fourth time he said, "You are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer." So Abu Bakr led the prayer and meanwhile the Prophet ﷺ felt better and came out with the help of two men; as if I see him just now dragging his feet on the ground. When Abu Bakr saw him, he tried to retreat but the Prophet ﷺ beckoned him to carry on. Abu Bakr retreated a bit and the Prophet ﷺ sat on his (left) side. Abu Bakr was repeating the Takbir (Allahu Akbar) of Messenger of Allah ﷺ for the people to hear.  

لَمَّا مَرِضَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ أَتَاهُ بِلاَلٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ قُلْتُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ إِنْ يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ يَبْكِي فَلاَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْقِرَاءَةِ قَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ فَقُلْتُ مِثْلَهُ فَقَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ أَوِ الرَّابِعَةِ إِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ فَصَلَّى وَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ كَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ يَخُطُّ بِرِجْلَيْهِ الأَرْضَ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ذَهَبَ يَتَأَخَّرُ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ صَلِّ فَتَأَخَّرَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ وَقَعَدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ التَّكْبِيرَ  

When Messenger of Allah ﷺ became seriously ill, Bilal came to him for the prayer. He said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." I said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Abu Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands in your place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Will you order ʿUmar (to lead the prayer)?" The Prophet ﷺ said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." Then I said to Hafsa, "Tell him, Abu i Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands in his place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Would you order ʿUmar to lead the prayer?' " Hafsa did so. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Verily you are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." So Abu- Bakr stood for the prayer. In the meantime Messenger of Allah ﷺ felt better and came out with the help of two persons and both of his legs were dragging on the ground till he entered the mosque. When Abu Bakr heard him coming, he tried to retreat but Messenger of Allah ﷺ beckoned him to carry on. The Prophet ﷺ sat on his left side. Abu Bakr was praying while standing and Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading the prayer while sitting. Abu Bakr was following the Prophet ﷺ and the people were following Abu Bakr (in the prayer).  

لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى مَا يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لاَ يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قُولِي لَهُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لاَ يُسْمِعِ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ قَالَ إِنَّكُنَّ لأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلاَهُ يَخُطَّانِ فِي الأَرْضِ حَتَّى دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ ذَهَبَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَتَأَخَّرُ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى جَلَسَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي قَائِمًا وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِصَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ مُقْتَدُونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ؓ  

"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became seriously ill, Bilal came to tell him it was time to pray and he said: 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer."' She said: "I said: '0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man, and when he stands in your place he will not be able to make the people hear his voice; why don't you tell 'Umar (to do it)?' He said: 'Tell a Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.' I said to Hafsah: 'Tell him.' So she told him. He said: 'You are (like) the female companions of Yosuf. Tell Abu Bakr lead the people in prayer."' She said: "So they told Abu Bakr. When he started to pray, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to feel better, so he got up and came with the help of two men, with his feet dragging along the ground. (When) he entered the Masjid, Abu Bakr heard him coming and he wanted to step back, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gestured to him: 'Stay where you are.' Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat on Abu Bakr's left, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading the people in prayer sitting, and Abu Bakr was standing and following the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him."  

لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُومُ فِي مَقَامِكَ لاَ يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قُولِي لَهُ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّكُنَّ لأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبَاتُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً قَالَتْ فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلاَهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الأَرْضِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ فَذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنْ قُمْ كَمَا أَنْتَ قَالَتْ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى قَامَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ جَالِسًا فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ جَالِسًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمًا يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَقْتَدُونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ؓ  

“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell ill with the sickness that would be his last” – (One of the narrators) Abu Mu’awiyah said: “When he was overcome by sickness” – “Bilal came to tell him that it was time for prayer. He said, ‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ We said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man, and when he takes your place he will weep and not be able to do it. Why do you not tell ‘Umar to lead the people in prayer?’ He said: ‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer; you are (like) the female companions of Yusuf.’” She said: “So we sent word to Abu Bakr, and he led the people in prayer. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to feel a little better, so he came out to the prayer, supported by two men with his feet making lines along the ground. When Abu Bakr realized that he was there, he wanted to step back, but the Prophet ﷺ gestured to him to stay where he was. Then (the two men) brought him to sit beside Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr was following the lead of the Prophet ﷺ and the people were following Abu Bakr.”  

لَمَّا مَرِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ وَقَالَ أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ لَمَّا ثَقُلَ جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ تَعْنِي رَقِيقٌ وَمَتَى مَا يَقُومُ مُقَامَكَ يَبْكِي فَلاَ يَسْتَطِيعُ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ فَصَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرِ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَإِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبَاتُ يُوسُفَ قَالَتْ فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ فَوَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلاَهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الأَرْضِ فَلَمَّا أَحَسَّ بِهِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَى إِلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَنْ مَكَانَكَ قَالَ فَجَاءَ حَتَّى أَجْلَسَاهُ إِلَى جَنْبِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَأْتَمُّ بِالنَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَأْتَمُّونَ بِأَبِي بَكْرٍ  

“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell ill with the sickness that would be his last” – (One of the narrators) Abu Mu’awiyah said: “When he was overcome by sickness” – “Bilal came to tell him that it was time for prayer. He said, ‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ We said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man, and when he takes your place he will weep and not be able to do it. Why do you not tell ‘Umar to lead the people in prayer?’ He said: ‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer; you are (like) the female companions of Yusuf.’” She said: “So we sent word to Abu Bakr, and he led the people in prayer. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to feel a little better, so he came out to the prayer, supported by two men with his feet making lines along the ground. When Abu Bakr realized that he was there, he wanted to step back, but the Prophet ﷺ gestured to him to stay where he was. Then (the two men) brought him to sit beside Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr was following the lead of the Prophet ﷺ and the people were following Abu Bakr.” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 1232)   

لَمَّا مَرِضَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ جَاءَهُ بِلَالٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ قَالَ الْأَعْمَشُ رَقِيقٌ وَمَتَى مَا يَقُومُ مَقَامَكَ يَبْكِي فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ؟ قَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَمَتَى يَقُومُ مَقَامَكَ يَبْكِي فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ؟ قَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَإِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ فَوَجَدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلَاهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَلَمَّا أَحَسَّ بِهِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ذَهَبَ يَتَأَخَّرُ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَيْ مَكَانَكَ فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ حَتَّى جَلَسَ إِلَى جَنْبِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَأْتَمُّ بِالنَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَأْتَمُّونَ بِأَبِي بَكْرٍ  

“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell ill with the sickness that would be his last” – (One of the narrators) Abu Mu’awiyah said: “When he was overcome by sickness” – “Bilal came to tell him that it was time for prayer. He said, ‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ We said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man, and when he takes your place he will weep and not be able to do it. Why do you not tell ‘Umar to lead the people in prayer?’ He said: ‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer; you are (like) the female companions of Yusuf.’” She said: “So we sent word to Abu Bakr, and he led the people in prayer. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to feel a little better, so he came out to the prayer, supported by two men with his feet making lines along the ground. When Abu Bakr realized that he was there, he wanted to step back, but the Prophet ﷺ gestured to him to stay where he was. Then (the two men) brought him to sit beside Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr was following the lead of the Prophet ﷺ and the people were following Abu Bakr.” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 1232)   

لَمَّا مَرِضَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ جَاءَهُ بِلَالٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَمَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ يَبْكِ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَ «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ لِيُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ» ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ «فَإِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبَاتُ يُوسُفَ» قَالَتْ فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ فَوَجَدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلَاهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَلَمَّا حَسَّ * بِهِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ذَهَبَ يَتَأَخَّرُ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَنْ مَكَانَكَ قَالَ فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَجَلَسَ إِلَى جَنْبِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَأْتَمُّ بِالنَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَأْتَمُّونَ بِأَبِي بَكْرٍ  

"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became seriously ill, Bilal came to tell him it was time to pray and he said: 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer."' She said: "I said: '0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man, and when he stands in your place he will not be able to make the people hear his voice; why don't you tell 'Umar (to do it)?' He said: 'Tell a Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.' I said to Hafsah: 'Tell him.' So she told him. He said: 'You are (like) the female companions of Yosuf. Tell Abu Bakr lead the people in prayer."' She said: "So they told Abu Bakr. When he started to pray, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to feel better, so he got up and came with the help of two men, with his feet dragging along the ground. (When) he entered the Masjid, Abu Bakr heard him coming and he wanted to step back, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gestured to him: 'Stay where you are.' Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat on Abu Bakr's left, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading the people in prayer sitting, and Abu Bakr was standing and following the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 833)   

لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ جَاءَ بِلَالٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لَا يُسْمِعِ النَّاسَ لَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ قَالَ «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قُولِي لَهُ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لَا يُسْمِعِ النَّاسَ قَالَ «إِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبَاتُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ خِفَّةً مِنْ نَفْسِهِ فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلَاهُ تَخُطُّ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ ذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «كَمَا أَنْتَ» حَتَّى جَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ قَاعِدًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمٌ يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَقْتَدُونَ بِصَلَاةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ  

"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became seriously ill, Bilal came to tell him it was time to pray and he said: 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer."' She said: "I said: '0 Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man, and when he stands in your place he will not be able to make the people hear his voice; why don't you tell 'Umar (to do it)?' He said: 'Tell a Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.' I said to Hafsah: 'Tell him.' So she told him. He said: 'You are (like) the female companions of Yosuf. Tell Abu Bakr lead the people in prayer."' She said: "So they told Abu Bakr. When he started to pray, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to feel better, so he got up and came with the help of two men, with his feet dragging along the ground. (When) he entered the Masjid, Abu Bakr heard him coming and he wanted to step back, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gestured to him: 'Stay where you are.' Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat on Abu Bakr's left, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading the people in prayer sitting, and Abu Bakr was standing and following the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 833)  

لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ جَاءَ بِلَالٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لَا يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ قَالَ «مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قَوْلِي لَهُ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ فَقَالَ «إِنَّكُنَّ لَأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبَاتُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ» قَالَتْ فَأَمَرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً قَالَتْ فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلَاهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ فَذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ قُمْ كَمَا أَنْتَ قَالَتْ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حَتَّى قَامَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ جَالِسًا فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ جَالِسًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمًا يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَقْتَدُونَ بِأَبِي بَكْرٍ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer during his illness, so he would lead them in prayer. Urwa said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ felt better and went out, and he saw Abu Bakr leading the people in prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him, he wanted to step back, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gestured to him to remain as he was. The Prophet ﷺ placed the footwear of Abu Bakr next to him, and Abu Bakr led the people in prayer following the way of the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, while the people followed the prayer of Abu Bakr."  

أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فِي مَرَضِهِ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِهِمْ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ فَوَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ فَإِذَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ اسْتَأْخَرَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ كَمَا أَنْتَ فَجَلَسَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ حِذَاءَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلَاةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ