"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 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 was confined to bed, Bilal came to him to summon him to prayer. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Ask Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. She ('A'isha) reported: I said: Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr is a tenderhearted man, when he would stand at your place (he would be so overwhelmed by feelings) that he would not be able to make the people hear anything (his recitation would not be audible to the followers in prayer). You should better order Umar (to lead the prayer). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Ask Abu Bakr to lead people in prayer. She ('A'isha) said: I asked Hafsa to (convey) my impression to him (the Holy Prophet) that Abu Bakr was a tenderhearted man, so when he would stand at his place, he would not be able to make the people bear anything. He better order Umar. Hafsa conveyed this (message of Hadrat 'A'isha) to him (the Holy Prophet). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: (You are behaving) as if you are the females who had gathered around Yusuf. Order Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. She ('A'isha) reported: So Abu Bakr was ordered to lead the people in prayer. As the prayer began, the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) felt some relief; he got up and moved supported by two persons and his feet dragged on earth (due to excessive weakness). 'A'isha reported: As he (the Holy Prophet) entered the mosque. Abu Bakr perceived his (arrival). He was about to withdraw, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ by the gesture (of his hand) told him to keep standing at his place. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and seated himself on the left side of Abu Bakr. She ('A'isha) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading people in prayer sitting. Abu Bakr was following the prayer of the Apostle ﷺ in a standing posture and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr.  

لَمَّا ثَقُلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ جَاءَ بِلاَلٌ يُؤْذِنُهُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ إِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لاَ يُسْمِعِ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قُولِي لَهُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لاَ يُسْمِعِ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّكُنَّ لأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلاَهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الأَرْضِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ ذَهَبَ يَتَأَخَّرُ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قُمْ مَكَانَكَ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى جَلَسَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ قَالَتْ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ جَالِسًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمًا يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِصَلاَةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَيَقْتَدِي النَّاسُ 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 was confined to bed, Bilal came to him to summon him to prayer. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Ask Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. She ('A'isha) reported: I said: Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr is a tenderhearted man, when he would stand at your place (he would be so overwhelmed by feelings) that he would not be able to make the people hear anything (his recitation would not be audible to the followers in prayer). You should better order Umar (to lead the prayer). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Ask Abu Bakr to lead people in prayer. She ('A'isha) said: I asked Hafsa to (convey) my impression to him (the Holy Prophet) that Abu Bakr was a tenderhearted man, so when he would stand at his place, he would not be able to make the people bear anything. He better order Umar. Hafsa conveyed this (message of Hadrat 'A'isha) to him (the Holy Prophet). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: (You are behaving) as if you are the females who had gathered around Yusuf. Order Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. She ('A'isha) reported: So Abu Bakr was ordered to lead the people in prayer. As the prayer began, the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) felt some relief; he got up and moved supported by two persons and his feet dragged on earth (due to excessive weakness). 'A'isha reported: As he (the Holy Prophet) entered the mosque. Abu Bakr perceived his (arrival). He was about to withdraw, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ by the gesture (of his hand) told him to keep standing at his place. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and seated himself on the left side of Abu Bakr. She ('A'isha) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading people in prayer sitting. Abu Bakr was following the prayer of the Apostle ﷺ in a standing posture and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr. (Using translation from Muslim 418f)  

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 يَقُومُ مَقَامَكَ لَا يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ؟ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قُولِي لَهُ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ حَفْصَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُومُ مَقَامَكَ لَا يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ إِنَّكُنَّ لَأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَقَالَتْ فَقَامَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلَاهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ ذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ قُمْ كَمَا أَنْتَ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حَتَّى جَلَسَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ قَاعِدًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمًايَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِصَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يَقْتَدُونَ بِصَلَاةِ 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.” (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  

[Machine] I traveled with Ibn Abbas from Madinah to Sham and I asked him, "What was the advice that the Prophet ﷺ left behind?" He said, "When the Prophet ﷺ was sick with the illness that he eventually passed away in, he was in the house of Aisha and he said, 'Call Ali.' Aisha said, 'Shouldn't we call Abu Bakr, O Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'Call him.' Then Hafsa said, 'Shouldn't we call Umar?' He said, 'Call him.' Then Umm al-Fadl said, 'Shouldn't we call Abbas, your uncle?' He said, 'Call him.' When they all came, he raised his head and did not see Ali. He remained silent and did not speak. Umar said, 'Everyone should leave the presence of the Prophet ﷺ. If he had any need for us, he would have mentioned it until then, three times.' Then he said, 'Let Abu Bakr lead the people in prayer.' Aisha said, 'Abu Bakr is present.' So Abu Bakr came forward to lead the people in prayer. The Prophet ﷺ saw him slightly weak and went to be supported between two men. When the people noticed, they began to glorify Allah, so Abu Bakr went back to delay the prayer. The Prophet ﷺ gestured to him indicating to stay in his place. The Prophet ﷺ began the prayer from where Abu Bakr had stopped reciting. Abu Bakr was still standing while the Prophet ﷺ was sitting. Then Abu Bakr brought the Prophet ﷺ forward and the people also brought Abu Bakr forward. The Prophet ﷺ did not complete the prayer until he became very heavy. He then went to be supported between two men and indeed his two feet were dragging on the ground. The Prophet ﷺ passed away and did not leave any final will.  

سَافَرْتُ مَعَ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى الشَّامِ فَسَأَلْتُهُ أَوْصَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ؟ فَقَالَ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ لَمَّا مَرِضَ مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ كَانَ فِي بَيْتِ عَائِشَةَ فَقَالَ «ادْعُوا لِي عَلِيًّا» فَقَالَتْ أَلَا نَدْعُو أَبَا بَكْرٍ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ؟ قَالَ «ادْعُوهُ» ثُمَّ قَالَتْ حَفْصَةُ أَلَا نَدْعُو عُمَرَ؟ قَالَ «ادْعُوهُ» ثُمَّ قَالَتْ أُمُّ الْفَضْلِ أَلَا نَدْعُو الْعَبَّاسَ عَمَّكَ؟ قَالَ «ادْعُوهُ» فَلَمَّا حَضَرُوهُ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَلَمْ يَرَ عَلِيًّا فَسَكَتَ وَلَمْ يَتَكَلَّمْ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ قُومُوا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَلَوْ كَانَتْ لَهُ إِلَيْنَا حَاجَةٌ ذَكَرَهَا حَتَّى فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ «لِيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ» قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ حَضَرَ فَتَقَدَّمَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَرَأَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَانْطَلَقَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ فَلَمَّا أَحَسَّ النَّاسُ سَبَّحُوا فَذَهَبَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مَكَانَكَ وَاسْتَفْتَحَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنْ حَيْثُ انْتَهَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ مِنَ الْقِرَاءَةِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمٌ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ جَالِسٌ فَائْتَمَّ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِالنَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَائْتَمَّ النَّاسُ بِأَبِي بَكْرٍ فَمَا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ الصَّلَاةَ حَتَّى ثَقُلَ جِدًّا فَخَرَجَ يُهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَإِنَّ رِجْلَيْهِ لَتَخُطَّانِ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَمَاتَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَلَمْ يُوصِ  

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). (Using translation from Bukhārī 713)   

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 يَقُومُ مَقَامَكَ لَا يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ قَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ لِحَفْصَةَ قُولِي لَهُ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ وَإِنَّهُ مَتَى يَقُومُ مَقَامَكَ لَا يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ عُمَرَ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِنَّكُنَّ لَأَنْتُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً قَالَتْ فَقَامَ يُهَادِي بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ وَرِجْلَاهُ تَخُطَّانِ فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ سَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حِسَّهُ ذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قُمْ مَكَانَكَ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حَتَّى جَلَسَ عَنْ يَسَارِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ قَالَتْ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ جَالِسًا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَائِمًا يَقْتَدِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِصَلَاةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَيَقْتَدِي النَّاسُ بِصَلَاةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَرَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ فِي الصَّحِيحِ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ يَحْيَى وَرَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ عَنْ قُتَيْبَةَ عَنْ أَبِي مُعَاوِيَةَ