Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 7350 — What the Prophet (peace and blessings)

Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: During the final illness of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Sayyiduna Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) came to inform him of the prayer, and he said: "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer." We said: "O Messenger of Allah! Abu Bakr is a gentle, tender-hearted man; when he stands in your place he will not be able to bear it and will start weeping. It would be better if you ordered Umar to lead the prayer." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tell Abu Bakr himself to lead the people in prayer. You are like the women around Yusuf." So word was sent to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and he led the people in prayer. After a while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) felt some relief in his blessed body, so he went out to the prayer supported between two men, his feet dragging along the ground. When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr sensed the arrival of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he began to step back. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured to him to stay in his place. Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sat down beside Sayyiduna Abu Bakr; Sayyiduna Abu Bakr was following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and the people were following Sayyiduna Abu Bakr.