Category: Q n A

Anas bin Malik Al-Ansari, told me, “Abu Bakr used to lead the people in prayer during the fatal
illness of the Prophet (ﷺ) till it was Monday. When the people aligned (in rows) for the prayer the Prophet (ﷺ)
lifted the curtain of his house and started looking at us and was standing at that time. His face was
(glittering) like a page of the Qur’an and he smiled cheerfully. We were about to be put to trial for the
pleasure of seeing the Prophet, Abu Bakr retreated to join the row as he thought that the Prophet (ﷺ)
would lead the prayer. The Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned us to complete the prayer and he let the curtain fall. On the same day he died.”

The Prophet (ﷺ) did not come out for three days. The people stood for the prayer and Abu Bakr went
ahead to lead the prayer. (In the meantime) the Prophet (ﷺ) caught hold of the curtain and lifted it. When
the face of the Prophet (ﷺ) appeared we had never seen a scene more pleasing than the face of the Prophet (ﷺ)
as it appeared then. The Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned to Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer and then let
the curtain fall. We did not see him (again) till he died.

My father said, “When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) became seriously ill, he was told about the prayer. He said,
‘Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.’ `Aisha said, ‘Abu Bakr is a softhearted man and he
would be overpowered by his weeping if he recited the Qur’an.’ He said to them, ‘Tell him (Abu Bakr)
to lead the prayer. The same reply was given to him. He said again, ‘Tell him to lead the prayer. You
(women) are the companions of Joseph.”

`Aisha said, “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ordered Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer during his illness and
so he led them in prayer.” `Urwa, a sub narrator, added, “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) felt a bit relieved and came
out and Abu Bakr was leading the people. When Abu Bakr saw the Prophet (ﷺ) he retreated but the
Prophet beckoned him to remain there. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) sat beside Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr was following
the prayer of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr.”

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went to establish peace among Bani `Amr bin `Auf. In the meantime the time of
prayer was due and the Mu’adh-dhin went to Abu Bakr and said, “Will you lead the prayer, so that I
may pronounce the Iqama?” Abu Bakr replied in the affirmative and led the prayer. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)
came while the people were still praying and he entered the rows of the praying people till he stood in
the (first row). The people clapped their hands. Abu Bakr never glanced sideways in his prayer but
when the people continued clapping, Abu Bakr looked and saw Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)
beckoned him to stay at his place. Abu Bakr raised his hands and thanked Allah for that order of
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and then he retreated till he reached the first row. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went forward and
led the prayer. When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) finished the prayer, he said, “O Abu Bakr! What prevented you
from staying when I ordered you to do so?”
Abu Bakr replied, “How can Ibn Abi Quhafa (Abu Bakr) dare to lead the prayer in the presence of
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” Then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Why did you clap so much? If something happens to
anyone during his prayer he should say Subhan Allah. If he says so he will be attended to, for clapping
is for women.”

We went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and we were all young men and stayed with him for about twenty nights. The
Prophet (ﷺ) was very merciful. He said, “When you return home, impart religious teachings to your
families and tell them to offer perfectly such and such a prayer at such and such a time and such and
such a prayer at such and such a time. And at the time of the prayer one of you should pronounce the
Adhan and the oldest of you should lead the prayer.”

The Prophet (came to my house and) asked permission for entering and I allowed him. He asked,
“Where do you like me to pray in your house?” I pointed to a place which I liked. He stood up for
prayer and we aligned behind him and he finished the prayer with Taslim and we did the same.

I went to `Aisha and asked her to describe to me the illness of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). `Aisha said, “Yes. The
Prophet became seriously ill and asked whether the people had prayed. We replied, ‘No. O Allah’s
Apostle! They are waiting for you.’ He added, ‘Put water for me in a trough.” `Aisha added, “We did
so. He took a bath and tried to get up but fainted. When he recovered, he again asked whether the
people had prayed. We said, ‘No, they are waiting for you. O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ),’ He again said, ‘Put
water in a trough for me.’ He sat down and took a bath and tried to get up but fainted again. Then he
recovered and said, ‘Have the people prayed?’ We replied, ‘No, they are waiting for you. O Allah’s
Apostle.’ He said, ‘Put water for me in the trough.’ Then he sat down and washed himself and tried to
get up but he fainted. When he recovered, he asked, ‘Have the people prayed?’ We said, ‘No, they are
waiting for you. O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! The people were in the mosque waiting for the Prophet (ﷺ) for the
`Isha prayer. The Prophet (ﷺ) sent for Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer. The messenger went to
Abu Bakr and said, ‘Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) orders you to lead the people in the prayer.’ Abu Bakr was a
softhearted man, so he asked `Umar to lead the prayer but `Umar replied, ‘You are more rightful.’ So
Abu Bakr led the prayer in those days. When the Prophet (ﷺ) felt a bit better, he came out for the Zuhr
prayer with the help of two persons one of whom was Al-`Abbas. while Abu Bakr was leading the
people in the prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him he wanted to retreat but the Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned him not
to do so and asked them to make him sit beside Abu Bakr and they did so. Abu Bakr was following
the Prophet (in the prayer) and the people were following Abu Bakr. The Prophet (prayed) sitting.”
‘Ubaidullah added “I went to `Abdullah bin `Abbas and asked him, Shall I tell you what Aisha has told
me about the fatal illness of the Prophet?’ Ibn `Abbas said, ‘Go ahead. I told him her narration and he
did not deny anything of it but asked whether `Aisha told me the name of the second person (who
helped the Prophet (ﷺ) ) along with Al-Abbas. I said. ‘No.’ He said, ‘He was `Ali (Ibn Abi Talib).

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “If the supper is served start having it before praying the Maghrib prayer and do
not be hasty in finishing it.”

the mother of the believers: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) during his illness prayed at his house while sitting
whereas some people prayed behind him standing. The Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned them to sit down. On
completion of the prayer, he said, ‘The Imam is to be followed: bow when he bows, raise up your
heads (stand erect) when he raises his head and when he says, ‘Sami`a l-lahu liman hamidah’ (Allah
heard those who sent praises to Him) say then ‘Rabbana wa laka l-hamd’ (O our Lord! All the praises
are for You), and if he prays sitting then pray sitting.”