Sahih al-Bukhari 664

Hadith text

Narrated Al-Aswad:"We were with `Aisha discussing the regularity of offering the prayer and dignifying it. She said, 'When Allah's Messenger (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-A`mash was asked, "Was the Prophet (ﷺ) praying and Abu Bakr following him, and were the people following Abu Bakr in that prayer?" Al- A`mash 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

Al-Aswad bataate hain: "Hum Ayesha ke saath namaz ki niyamat aur baqaidgi ke baare mein baat kar rahe the. Unhone kaha: 'Jab Allah ke Rasool apni aakhri bimari mein bimaar hue aur namaz ka waqt aaya aur Adhan hui, Aap ne farmaya: Abu Bakr se kaho logon ki imamat karein. Unhe bataya gaya ke Abu Bakr narm-dil hain aur aapki jagah imamat nahi kar sakenge. Nabi ne dobara wahi hukum diya magar wahi jawab mila. Aap ne teesri baar hukum diya aur farmaya: Tum (aurtein) Yusuf ki sathi ho. Abu Bakr se kaho imamat karein. To Abu Bakr imamat karne aaye. Isi dauran Nabi ki halat kuch behtar hui aur Aap do aadmiyon ke sahaare bahar aaye, har taraf ek-ek. Goya main abhi unke paon bimari ki wajah se zameen par ghisatte dekh rahi hoon. Abu Bakr peeche hatna chahte the magar Nabi ne unhe apni jagah rehne ka ishara kiya, aur Nabi ko Abu Bakr ke paas baithaya gaya.'" Al-A'mash se pucha gaya: "Kya Nabi namaz padh rahe the aur Abu Bakr unki pairvi kar rahe the, aur log Abu Bakr ki pairvi kar rahe the?" Al-A'mash ne sar hila kar haan kaha. Abu Muawiya ne kaha: "Nabi Abu Bakr ke baayen baithe the jabke Abu Bakr khade hokar imamat kar rahe the."

Sahih al-Bukhari 664 · Book 10, Hadith 58