Sahih al-Bukhari 664

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘Umar bin Hafs narrated to us: My father narrated to us: al-A‘mash narrated to us, from Ibrahim, who said: al-Aswad said: We were with ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and discussed maintaining prayer and honoring it. She said: When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) fell ill with the illness in which he died, prayer time came and the call was made. He said, ‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ Someone said to him, ‘Abu Bakr is a tender-hearted man; if he stands in your place, he may not be able to lead the people.’ They repeated this to him, and he repeated the instruction. When it was said again a third time, he said, ‘You are like the women who tried to tempt Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ Abu Bakr went out and led the prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then felt some relief and came out supported between two men. I can almost see his feet dragging from the pain. Abu Bakr started to step back, but the Prophet gestured to him to stay where he was. Then they brought the Prophet until he sat beside Abu Bakr. Al-A‘mash was asked: Was the Prophet praying while Abu Bakr led by following his prayer, and the people following Abu Bakr? He nodded, ‘Yes.’ Abu Dawud transmitted part of it from Shu‘ba, from al-A‘mash. Abu Mu‘awiya added: The Prophet sat to Abu Bakr’s left, and Abu Bakr prayed standing.