“Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) lost consciousness in his illness, then he regained consciousness and said: ‘Has the ritual prayer arrived?’ They said: ‘Yes,’ so he said: ‘Command Bilal to give the call to prayer, and command Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ Then he lost consciousness, and when he recovered, he said: ‘Has the ritual prayer arrived?’ They said: ‘Yes,’ so he said: ‘Command Bilal to give the call to prayer, and command Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.’ 'A'isha then said: ‘My father is a melancholy man. If he is given that responsibility, he will weep and lose command of himself. SO if only you would appoint someone else!'He [Salim] said: “Then he lost consciousness and recovered, so he said: ‘Command Bilal to give the call to prayer, and command Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer, for you are the female companions of Yusuf!’ Bilal was therefore commanded, so he gave the call to prayer, and Abu Bakr was commanded, so he led the people in prayer. Then Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) felt light in the head, so he said: ‘Find me someone I can lean on!’ Barira and another man therefore came to him, so he leaned on them. When Abu Bakr saw him, the man was about to withdraw, but he signaled for him to stay in his place until Abu Bakr completed his ritual prayer. Then Allah’s Messenger died (Allah bless him and give him peace), so 'Umar said: ‘If I hear anyone mention that Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) has died, I will strike him with this sword of mine!”’He [Salim] said: “The people were unlettered folk among whom there had never come a prophet before, so they held their tongues. But then they said: ‘O Salim, go to the Companion of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) and summon him.’ So I went to see Abu Bakr, in the mosque. I came to him weeping and perplexed, so when he saw me, he said: ‘Has Allah’s Messenger died (Allah bless him and give him peace)?’ I replied: 'Umar says: “If anyone mentions that Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) has died, I will strike him with this sword of mine!” He then said to me: ‘Go outside,’ so I went outside with him. Then he came and found the people in the presence of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace).“He therefore said: ‘O people, get out of my way,’ so they got out of his way. Then he leaned over him and touched him, saying: “You will surely die, and they will surely die." [inna-ka mayyitun wa inna-hum mayyitun].” (Al-Qur'an.39:3O). Then they said: ‘O Companion of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), should the funeral prayer be performed for Allah’s Messenger?’ When he said: ‘Yes,’ they asked: And how?’ He said: A group will enter, proclaim the Supreme Greatness of Allah, perform the ritual prayer and offer supplication. Then they will go out, so that other people may enter.’ They said: ‘O Companion of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), should Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) be buried?’ When he said: ‘Yes,’ they asked: ‘Where?’ He said: ‘In the place in which Allah took his spirit, for Allah would not take his spirit in a place that was not good,’ and they knew that he had spoken the truth.’ Then he gave instructions for the sons of his father to bathe him, and the Emigrants [al-Muhajirun] assembled, consulting with one another. They said: ‘Take us to our brethren among the Helpers [al-Ansar], so that we may include them with us in this business.' The Helpers then said: ‘There should be a commander among us and a commander among you,’ so 'Umar ibn al-Khattab said: ‘Who has the like of these three [excellent merits of Abu Bakr]? [In the words of the Qur’an]: “The second of the two; when the two of them were in the cave, when he said to his companion: ‘Do not grieve. Allah is with us [thaniya’thnaini idh huma fi’l-ghari idh yaqulu li-sahibi-hi la tahzan inna’llaha ma'a-na].’” (Al-Qur'an.9:4O). Who are the two of them?’ Then he extended his hand, so they pledged allegiance to him, and the people paid him a beautiful homage.”
The Final Illness and Concern for Prayer
The Prophet's repeated inquiry about prayer time during his critical illness demonstrates his unwavering commitment to establishing congregational prayer, even at death's door. His insistence on Abu Bakr leading despite 'A'isha's concerns shows divine guidance in establishing leadership succession.
"You are the Female Companions of Yusuf"
This profound statement references Quranic narrative where women's emotional counsel was set aside for divine wisdom. The Prophet gently affirmed that feminine compassion, while valuable, must yield to established religious authority in matters of communal obligation.
The Funeral Prayer Protocol
Abu Bakr's establishment of group-by-group funeral prayer created the precedent for how Muslims honor their prophets. This method allowed maximum community participation while maintaining dignity and order, setting the standard for all future Islamic funeral prayers.
Burial in the Place of Passing
The decision to bury the Prophet where his soul departed reflects Islamic principle that places where righteous souls ascend become sacred ground. This established the practice of burial at death sites rather than separate cemeteries for exceptionally pious individuals.
Succession and Quranic Justification
'Umar's citation of Quran 9:40 referencing the Cave experience provided divine sanction for Abu Bakr's leadership. This established the precedent of using Quranic merit and companionship with the Prophet as primary qualifications for caliphal succession.