I tried to dissuade the Messenger of Allah ﷺ from it (i. e. from appointing Abu Bakr as the Imam.) and my insistence upon it was not due to the fact that I entertained any apprehension in my mind that the people would not love the man who would occupy his (Prophet's) place (i. e. who would be appointed as his caliph) and I feared that the people would be superstitious about one who would occupy his place. I, therefore, desired that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ should leave Abu Bakr aside in this matter.  

أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ لَقَدْ رَاجَعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي ذَلِكَ وَمَا حَمَلَنِي عَلَى كَثْرَةِ مُرَاجَعَتِهِ إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَقَعْ فِي قَلْبِي أَنْ يُحِبَّ النَّاسُ بَعْدَهُ رَجُلاً قَامَ مَقَامَهُ أَبَدًا وَإِلاَّ أَنِّي كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنَّهُ لَنْ يَقُومَ مَقَامَهُ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ تَشَاءَمَ النَّاسُ بِهِ فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ يَعْدِلَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to my house, he said: Ask Abu Bakr to lead people in prayer. 'A'isha narrated: I said, Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr is a man of tenderly feelings; as he recites the Qur'an, he cannot help shedding tears: so better command anyone else to lead the prayer. By Allah, there is nothing disturbing in it for me but the idea that the people may not takeevil omen with regard to one who is the first to occupy the place of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I tried to dissuade him (the Holy Prophet) twice or thrice (from appointing my father as an Imam in prayer), but he ordered Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer and said: You women are like those (who had) surrounded Yusuf.  

لَمَّا دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَيْتِي قَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ رَقِيقٌ إِذَا قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ لاَ يَمْلِكُ دَمْعَهُ فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ غَيْرَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ قَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ مَا بِي إِلاَّ كَرَاهِيَةُ أَنْ يَتَشَاءَمَ النَّاسُ بِأَوَّلِ مَنْ يَقُومُ فِي مَقَامِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ فَرَاجَعْتُهُ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثًا فَقَالَ لِيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَإِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ  

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 suffered from illness of which he died, and in the hadith transmitted by Ibn Mus-hir, the words are: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was brought till he was seated by his (Abu Bakr's) side and the Apostle ﷺ led the people in prayer and Abu Bakr was making takbir audible to them, and in the hadith transmitted by 'Isa the (words are):" The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat and led the people in prayer and Abu Bakr was by his side and he was making (takbir) audible to the people."  

عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ وَفِي حَدِيثِهِمَا لَمَّا مَرِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي تُوُفِّيَ فِيهِ وَفِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ مُسْهِرٍ فَأُتِيَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى أُجْلِسَ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُسْمِعُهُمُ التَّكْبِيرَ وَفِي حَدِيثِ عِيسَى فَجَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered Abu Bakr that he should lead people in prayer during his illness, and he led them in prayer. ʿUrwa said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ felt relief and went (to the mosque) and Abu Bakr was leading the people in prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him he began to withdraw, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ signaled him to remain where he was. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat opposite to Abu Bakr by his side. Abu Bakr said prayer following the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and the people said prayer following the prayer of Abu Bakr.  

أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فِي مَرَضِهِ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي بِهِمْ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ فَوَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ وَإِذَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ اسْتَأْخَرَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَىْ كَمَا أَنْتَ فَجَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ حِذَاءَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِصَلاَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ  

[Machine] Here is the translation of the passage into English:

Abu Bakr was leading them in prayer during the illness of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in which he passed away. On the Monday when they were lined up for prayer, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ pulled aside the curtain of the room and looked at us while standing, his face appearing like a page from the Quran. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled, laughing. We were astonished while we were in the prayer due to our joy at the appearance of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ . Abu Bakr retreated to join the row, thinking that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would come out to lead the prayer. But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ signaled to them with his hand to complete their prayer. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went back and let the curtain fall. On that day, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away.  

أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ كَانَ يُصَلِّي لَهُمْ فِي وَجَعِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ الَّذِي تُوُفِّيَ فِيهِ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَهُمْ صُفُوفٌ فِي الصَّلاَةِ كَشَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ سِتْرَ الْحُجْرَةِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْنَا وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ كَأَنَّ وَجْهَهُ وَرَقَةُ مُصْحَفٍ ثُمَّ تَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ ضَاحِكًا قَالَ فَبُهِتْنَا وَنَحْنُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ مِنْ فَرَحٍ بِخُرُوجِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَنَكَصَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ لِيَصِلَ الصَّفَّ وَظَنَّ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَارِجٌ لِلصَّلاَةِ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِيَدِهِ أَنْ أَتِمُّوا صَلاَتَكُمْ قَالَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَرْخَى السِّتْرَ قَالَ فَتُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ ذَلِكَ  

The last glance that I have had of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ (before his death) was that when he on Monday drew the curtain aside. The hadith transmitted by Salih is perfect and complete.  

آخِرُ نَظْرَةٍ نَظَرْتُهَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَشَفَ السِّتَارَةَ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ بِهَذِهِ الْقِصَّةِ وَحَدِيثُ صَالِحٍ أَتَمُّ وَأَشْبَعُ  

This hadith is narrated on the authority of Anas b. Malik by another chain of transmitters.  

لَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ الاِثْنَيْنِ بِنَحْوِ حَدِيثِهِمَا  

The Apostle of Allah ﷺ did not come to us for three days. When the prayer was about to start. Abu Bakr stepped forward (to lead the prayer), and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ lifted the curtain. When the face of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became visible to us, we (found) that no sight was more endearing to us than the face of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as it appeared to us. The Apostle of Allah ﷺ with the gesture of his hand directed Abu Bakr to step forward (and lead the prayer). The Apostle of Allah ﷺ then drew the curtain, and we could not see him till he died.  

لَمْ يَخْرُجْ إِلَيْنَا نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثَلاَثًا فَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَذَهَبَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَتَقَدَّمُ فَقَالَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالْحِجَابِ فَرَفَعَهُ فَلَمَّا وَضَحَ لَنَا وَجْهُ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا نَظَرْنَا مَنْظَرًا قَطُّ كَانَ أَعْجَبَ إِلَيْنَا مِنْ وَجْهِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ حِينَ وَضَحَ لَنَا قَالَ فَأَوْمَأَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ أَنْ يَتَقَدَّمَ وَأَرْخَى نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ الْحِجَابَ فَلَمْ نَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى مَاتَ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became ill and illness became serious he ordered Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. Upon this 'A'isha said: Messenger of Allah, Abd Bakr is a man of tenderly feelings: when he would stand in your place (he would be so much overwhelmed -by grief that) he would not be able to lead the people in prayer. He (the Holy Prophet) said: You order Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer, and added: You are like the female companions of Yusuf. So Abu Bakr led the prayer (during this period of illness) in the life of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.  

مَرِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَاشْتَدَّ مَرَضُهُ فَقَالَ مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ رَقِيقٌ مَتَى يَقُمْ مَقَامَكَ لاَ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ فَقَالَ مُرِي أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ فَإِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ قَالَ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَيَاةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

I also moved along with him till he came to the people and (he found) that they had been saying their prayer under the Imamah of 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ could get one rak ah out of two and said (this) last rak'ah along with the people. When Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf pronounced the salutation, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up to complete the prayer. This made the Muslims terrified and most of them began to recite the glory of the Lord. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his prayer, he turned towards them and then said: You did well, or said with a sense of joy: You did the right thing that you said prayer at the appointed hour.  

أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ غَزَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَبُوكَ قَالَ الْمُغِيرَةُ فَتَبَرَّزَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قِبَلَ الْغَائِطِ فَحَمَلْتُ مَعَهُ إِدَاوَةً قَبْلَ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَىَّ أَخَذْتُ أُهَرِيقُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الإِدَاوَةِ وَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يُخْرِجُ جُبَّتَهُ عَنْ ذِرَاعَيْهِ فَضَاقَ كُمَّا جُبَّتِهِ فَأَدْخَلَ يَدَيْهِ فِي الْجُبَّةِ حَتَّى أَخْرَجَ ذِرَاعَيْهِ مِنْ أَسْفَلِ الْجُبَّةِ وَغَسَلَ ذِرَاعَيْهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأَ عَلَى خُفَّيْهِ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ قَالَ الْمُغِيرَةُ فَأَقْبَلْتُ مَعَهُ حَتَّى نَجِدُ النَّاسَ قَدْ قَدَّمُوا عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ عَوْفٍ فَصَلَّى لَهُمْ فَأَدْرَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِحْدَى الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ فَصَلَّى مَعَ النَّاسِ الرَّكْعَةَ الآخِرَةَ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُتِمُّ صَلاَتَهُ فَأَفْزَعَ ذَلِكَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَأَكْثَرُوا التَّسْبِيحَ فَلَمَّا قَضَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ صَلاَتَهُ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَحْسَنْتُمْ أَوْ قَالَ قَدْ أَصَبْتُمْ يَغْبِطُهُمْ أَنْ صَلَّوُا الصَّلاَةَ لِوَقْتِهَا  

I made up my mind to hold Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf back, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Leave him."  

النَّبِيُّ ﷺ دَعْهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ went to the tribe of Bani Amr b. Auf in order to bring reconciliation amongst (its members), and It was a time of prayer. The Mu'adhdhin came to Abu Bakr and said: Would you lead the prayer in case I recite takbir (tahrima, with which the prayer begins)? He (Abu Bakr) said: Yes. He (the narrator) said: He (Abu Bakr) started (leading) the prayer. The people were engaged in observing prayer when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ happened to come there and made his way (through the people) till he stood in a row. The people began to clap (their hands), but Abu Bakr paid no heed (to it) in prayer. When the people clapped more vigorously, he (Abu Bakr) then paid heed and saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ there. (He was about to withdraw when) the Messenger of Allah ﷺ signed to him to keep standing at his place. Abu Bakr lifted his hands and praised Allah for what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had commanded him and then Abu Bakr withdrew himself till he stood in the midst of the row and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stepped forward and led the prayer. When (the prayer) was over, he (the Holy Prophet) said: 0 Abu Bakr, what prevented you from standing (at that place) as I ordered you to do? Abu Bakr said: It does not become the son of Abu Quhafa to lead prayer before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said (to the people) around him: What is it that I saw you clapping so vigorously? (Behold) when anything happens in prayer, say: Subha Allah, for when you would utter it, it would attract the attention, while clapping of hands is meant for women.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ ذَهَبَ إِلَى بَنِي عَمْرِو بْنِ عَوْفٍ لِيُصْلِحَ بَيْنَهُمْ فَحَانَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَجَاءَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ أَتُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَأُقِيمُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَصَلَّى أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَتَخَلَّصَ حَتَّى وَقَفَ فِي الصَّفِّ فَصَفَّقَ النَّاسُ وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ لاَ يَلْتَفِتُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَلَمَّا أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ التَّصْفِيقَ الْتَفَتَ فَرَأَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنِ امْكُثْ مَكَانَكَ فَرَفَعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَدَيْهِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ ﷻ عَلَى مَا أَمَرَهُ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْخَرَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَتَّى اسْتَوَى فِي الصَّفِّ وَتَقَدَّمَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَثْبُتَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مَا كَانَ لاِبْنِ أَبِي قُحَافَةَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا لِي رَأَيْتُكُمْ أَكْثَرْتُمُ التَّصْفِيقَ مَنْ نَابَهُ شَىْءٌ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلْيُسَبِّحْ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا سَبَّحَ الْتُفِتَ إِلَيْهِ وَإِنَّمَا التَّصْفِيحُ لِلنِّسَاءِ  

" Abu Bakr lifted his hands and praised Allah and retraced his (steps) till he stood in a row."  

عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ مَالِكٍ وَفِي حَدِيثِهِمَا فَرَفَعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَدَيْهِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَرَجَعَ الْقَهْقَرَى وَرَاءَهُ حَتَّى قَامَ فِي الصَّفِّ  

The Apostle of Allah ﷺ went to Bani Amr b. 'Auf in order to bring about reconciliation amongst them. The rest of the hadith is the same but with (the addition of these words):" The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and made his way through the rows till he came to the first row and Abu Bakr retraced his steps."  

ذَهَبَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصْلِحُ بَيْنَ بَنِي عَمْرِو بْنِ عَوْفٍ بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِهِمْ وَزَادَ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَخَرَقَ الصُّفُوفَ حَتَّى قَامَ عِنْدَ الصَّفِّ الْمُقَدَّمِ وَفِيهِ أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجَعَ الْقَهْقَرَى  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Glorification of Allah is for men and clapping of hands is meant for women (if something happens in prayer). Harmala added in his narration that Ibn Shihab told him: I saw some of the scholars glorifying Allah and making a gesture.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ح وَحَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ مَعْرُوفٍ وَحَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ أَخْبَرَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ وَأَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَنَّهُمَا سَمِعَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ التَّسْبِيحُ لِلرِّجَالِ وَالتَّصْفِيقُ لِلنِّسَاءِ زَادَ حَرْمَلَةُ فِي رِوَايَتِهِ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رِجَالاً مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ يُسَبِّحُونَ وَيُشِيرُونَ  

This hadith is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira by another chain of transmitters.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِمِثْلِهِ  

This hadith is transmitted by Muhammad b. Rafi', Abu'I-Razzaq. Ma'mar, Hammam on the authority of Abu Huraira with the addition of (the word)" prayer".  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِمِثْلِهِ وَزَادَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ  

One day the Messenger of Allah ﷺ led the prayer. Then turning (towards his Companions) he said: O you man, why don't you say your prayer well? Does the observer of prayer not see how he is performing the prayer, for he performs it for himself? By Allah, I see behind me as I see in front of me.  

صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَوْمًا ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَقَالَ يَا فُلاَنُ أَلاَ تُحْسِنُ صَلاَتَكَ أَلاَ يَنْظُرُ الْمُصَلِّي إِذَا صَلَّى كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي فَإِنَّمَا يُصَلِّي لِنَفْسِهِ إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لأُبْصِرُ مَنْ وَرَائِي كَمَا أُبْصِرُ مَنْ بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Do you find me seeing towards the Qibla only? By Allah, your bowing and your prostrating are not hidden from my view. Verily I see them behind my back.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ هَلْ تَرَوْنَ قِبْلَتِي هَا هُنَا فَوَاللَّهِ مَا يَخْفَى عَلَىَّ رُكُوعُكُمْ وَلاَ سُجُودُكُمْ إِنِّي لأَرَاكُمْ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِي  

Perform bowing and prostration well. By Allah, I see you even if you are behind me, or he said: (I see you) behind my back when you bow or prostrate.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ أَقِيمُوا الرُّكُوعَ وَالسُّجُودَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَرَاكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي وَرُبَّمَا قَالَ مِنْ بَعْدِ ظَهْرِي إِذَا رَكَعْتُمْ وَسَجَدْتُمْ  

The Apostle of Allah ﷺ said: Complete the bowing and prostration well. By Allah, I see you behind my back as to how you bow and prostrate or when you bow and prostrate.  

أَنَّ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ أَتِمُّوا الرُّكُوعَ وَالسُّجُودَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَرَاكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ ظَهْرِي إِذَا مَا رَكَعْتُمْ وَإِذَا مَا سَجَدْتُمْ وَفِي حَدِيثِ سَعِيدٍ إِذَا رَكَعْتُمْ وَإِذَا سَجَدْتُمْ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ one day led us in the prayer. and when he completed the Prayer he turned his face towards us and said: 0 People, I am your Imam, so do not precede me in bowing and prostration and in standing and turning (faces, i. e. In pronouncing salutation), for I see you in front of me and behind me, and then said: By Him in Whose hand Is the life of Muhammad, if you could see what I see, you would have laughed little and wept much more. They said: What did you see, Messenger of Allah? He replied: (I saw) Paradise and Hell.  

صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فَلَمَّا قَضَى الصَّلاَةَ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا بِوَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي إِمَامُكُمْ فَلاَ تَسْبِقُونِي بِالرُّكُوعِ وَلاَ بِالسُّجُودِ وَلاَ بِالْقِيَامِ وَلاَ بِالاِنْصِرَافِ فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ أَمَامِي وَمِنْ خَلْفِي ثُمَّ قَالَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ رَأَيْتُمْ مَا رَأَيْتُ لَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلاً وَلَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا قَالُوا وَمَا رَأَيْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ الْجَنَّةَ وَالنَّارَ  

This hadith is narrated by Anas with another chain of transmitters, and in the hadith transmitted by Jarir there is no mention of" turning (faces)".  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ وَلَيْسَ فِي حَدِيثِ جَرِيرٍ وَلاَ بِالاِنْصِرَافِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Does the man who lifts his head ahead of the Imam (from prostration) not fear that Allah may change his head into the head of an ass?  

مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ أَمَا يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Does the man who lifts his head before the Imam not fear that Allah may change his face into that of an ass?  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا يَأْمَنُ الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فِي صَلاَتِهِ قَبْلَ الإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ صُورَتَهُ فِي صُورَةِ حِمَارٍ  

" Allah may make his face like the face of an ass."  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِهَذَا غَيْرَ أَنَّ فِي حَدِيثِ الرَّبِيعِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ وَجْهَ حِمَارٍ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The people who lift their eyes towards the sky in Prayer should avoid it or they would lose their eyesight.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَيَنْتَهِيَنَّ أَقْوَامٌ يَرْفَعُونَ أَبْصَارَهُمْ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فِي الصَّلاَةِ أَوْ لاَ تَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِمْ  

People should avoid lifting their eyes towards the sky while supplicating in prayer, otherwise their eyes would be snatched away.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لَيَنْتَهِيَنَّ أَقْوَامٌ عَنْ رَفْعِهِمْ أَبْصَارَهُمْ عِنْدَ الدُّعَاءِ فِي الصَّلاَةِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ أَوْ لَتُخْطَفَنَّ أَبْصَارُهُمْ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to us and said: "How is it that I see you lifting your hands like the tails of headstrong horses? Be calm in prayer." He (the narrator) said: He then again came to us and saw us (sitting) in circles. He said: "How is it that I see you in separate groups?" He (the narrator) said: He again came to us and said: "Why don't you draw yourselves up in rows as angels do in the presence of their Lord?" We said: Messenger of Allah, how do the angels draw themselves up in rows in the presence of their Lord? He (the Holy Prophet) said: "They make the first rows complete and keep close together in the row."  

خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ مَا لِي أَرَاكُمْ رَافِعِي أَيْدِيكُمْ كَأَنَّهَا أَذْنَابُ خَيْلٍ شُمْسٍ اسْكُنُوا فِي الصَّلاَةِ قَالَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا فَرَآنَا حَلَقًا فَقَالَ مَا لِي أَرَاكُمْ عِزِينَ قَالَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا فَقَالَ أَلاَ تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا فَقُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ تَصُفُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا قَالَ يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الأُوَلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ  

This hadith has been narrated by A'mash with the same chain of transmitters.  

حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ  

When we said prayer with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we pronounced: Peace be upon you and Mercy of Allah, peace be upon you and Mercy of Allah, and made gesture with the hand on both the sides. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him said: What do you point out with your hands as if they are the tails of headstrong horses? This is enough for you that one should place one's hand on one's thigh and then pronounce salutation upon one's brother on the right side and then on the left.  

كُنَّا إِذَا صَلَّيْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قُلْنَا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى الْجَانِبَيْنِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلاَمَ تُومِئُونَ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ كَأَنَّهَا أَذْنَابُ خَيْلٍ شُمُسٍ إِنَّمَا يَكْفِي أَحَدَكُمْ أَنْ يَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى فَخِذِهِ ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَى أَخِيهِ مَنْ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ وَشِمَالِهِ  

We said our prayer with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and, while pronouncing salutations, we made gestures with our hands (indicating)" Peace be upon you, peace be upon you." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ looked towards us and said: Why is it that you make gestures with your hands like the tails of headstrong horses? When any one of you pro- nounces salutation (in prayer) he should only turn his face towards his companion and should not make a gesture with his hand.  

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَكُنَّا إِذَا سَلَّمْنَا قُلْنَا بِأَيْدِينَا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ مَا شَأْنُكُمْ تُشِيرُونَ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ كَأَنَّهَا أَذْنَابُ خَيْلٍ شُمُسٍ إِذَا سَلَّمَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَلْتَفِتْ إِلَى صَاحِبِهِ وَلاَ يُومِئْ بِيَدِهِ  

The Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) used to touch our shoulders in prayer and say: Keep straight, don't be irregular, for there would be dissension in your hearts. Let those of you who are sedate and prudent be near me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them. Abu Mas'ud said: Now-a-days there is much dissension amongst you.  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا فِي الصَّلاَةِ وَيَقُولُ اسْتَوُوا وَلاَ تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ لِيَلِنِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الأَحْلاَمِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ قَالَ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ فَأَنْتُمُ الْيَوْمَ أَشَدُّ اخْتِلاَفًا  

This hadith is narrated by Ibn Uyaina with the same chain of transmitters.  

حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Let those who are sedate and prudent be near me, then those who are next to them (saying it tliree tinies), and beware of the tumult of the markets.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لِيَلِنِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الأَحْلاَمِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثَلاَثًا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهَيْشَاتِ الأَسْوَاقِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Straighten your rows. for the straightening of a row is a part of the perfection of prayer.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ فَإِنَّ تَسْوِيَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ تَمَامِ الصَّلاَةِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Complete the rows, for I can see you behind my back.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَتِمُّوا الصُّفُوفَ فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ خَلْفَ ظَهْرِي  

This is what was transmitted to us by Abu Huraira from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and, while making a mention of a few ahadith, said: (The Messengerof Allah directed us thus): Establish rows in prayer, for the making of a row (straight) is one of the merits of prayer.  

عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَذَكَرَ أَحَادِيثَ مِنْهَا وَقَالَ أَقِيمُوا الصَّفَّ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَإِنَّ إِقَامَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ حُسْنِ الصَّلاَةِ  

I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: Straighten your rows, or Allah would create dissension amongst you.  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ  

The Messenger of Allah (may peace-be upon him) used to straighten our rows as it lie were straightening an arrow with their help until be saw that we had learnt it from him. One day he came out, stood up (for prayer) and was about to say: Allah is the Greatest, when he saw a man, whose chest was bulging out from the row, so he said: Servants of Allah, you hint straighten your rows or Allah would create dissension amongst you.  

سَمِعْتُ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُسَوِّي صُفُوفَنَا حَتَّى كَأَنَّمَا يُسَوِّي بِهَا الْقِدَاحَ حَتَّى رَأَى أَنَّا قَدْ عَقَلْنَا عَنْهُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ يَوْمًا فَقَامَ حَتَّى كَادَ يُكَبِّرُ فَرَأَى رَجُلاً بَادِيًا صَدْرُهُ مِنَ الصَّفِّ فَقَالَ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ  

Abu 'Awana reported this hadith with the same chain of transmitters.  

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: If the people were to know what excellence is there in the Adhan and in the first row, and they could not (get these opportunities) except by drawing lots, they would have definitely done that. And if they were to know what excellence lies in joining the prayer in the first takbir (prayer), they would have vied with one another. And if they were to know what excellence lies in the night prayer and morning prayer, they would have definitely come even if crawling (on their knees).  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي النِّدَاءِ وَالصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَجِدُوا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَسْتَهِمُوا عَلَيْهِ لاَسْتَهَمُوا وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي التَّهْجِيرِ لاَسْتَبَقُوا إِلَيْهِ وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي الْعَتَمَةِ وَالصُّبْحِ لأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw (a tendency ) among his Companions to go to the back, so he said to them: Come forward and follow my lead, and let those who come after you follow your lead. People will continue to keep back till Allah will put them at the back.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَأَى فِي أَصْحَابِهِ تَأَخُّرًا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ تَقَدَّمُوا فَائْتَمُّوا بِي وَلْيَأْتَمَّ بِكُمْ مَنْ بَعْدَكُمْ لاَ يَزَالُ قَوْمٌ يَتَأَخَّرُونَ حَتَّى يُؤَخِّرَهُمُ اللَّهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw people at the end of the mosque, and then the (above-mentioned hadith) was narrated.  

رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَوْمًا فِي مُؤَخَّرِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: If you were to know, or if they were to know, what (excellence) lies in the first rows, there would have been drawing of lots (for filling them) ; and Ibn Harb said: For (occupying) the first row there would have been drawing of lots.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ أَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي الصَّفِّ الْمُقَدَّمِ لَكَانَتْ قُرْعَةً وَقَالَ ابْنُ حَرْبٍ الصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ مَا كَانَتْ إِلاَّ قُرْعَةً  

The best rows for men are the first rows, and the worst ones the last ones, and the best rows for women are the last ones and the worst ones for them are the first ones.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَيْرُ صُفُوفِ الرِّجَالِ أَوَّلُهَا وَشَرُّهَا آخِرُهَا وَخَيْرُ صُفُوفِ النِّسَاءِ آخِرُهَا وَشَرُّهَا أَوَّلُهَا  

This hadith is narrated by Suhail with the same chain of transmitters.  

عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ  

I saw men having tied (the ends) of their lower garments around their necks, like children, due to shortage of cloth and offering their prayers behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. One of the proclaimers said: O womenfolk, do not lift your heads till men raise (them).  

لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ الرِّجَالَ عَاقِدِي أُزُرِهِمْ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ مِثْلَ الصِّبْيَانِ مِنْ ضِيقِ الأُزُرِ خَلْفَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ يَا مَعْشَرَ النِّسَاءِ لاَ تَرْفَعْنَ رُءُوسَكُنَّ حَتَّى يَرْفَعَ الرِّجَالُ  

When women ask permission for going to the mosque, do not prevent them.  

النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا اسْتَأْذَنَتْ أَحَدَكُمُ امْرَأَتُهُ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَلاَ يَمْنَعْهَا