Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that during the illness of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) passing, he fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he asked, “Have the people performed the prayer?” We replied, “No.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Instruct Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.” We said, “O Messenger of Allah! He is a very soft-hearted and compassionate man; when he stands in your place, he will not be able to lead the people in prayer.” Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) again fell unconscious, and when he regained consciousness, he repeated the same instruction. I replied to you three times, so you said, “You are like the women who were with Yusuf. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.” Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that after a while, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) felt some lightness in his blessed body, and he went outside supported by Barirah and Nubah. Due to weakness in his blessed body, both his feet were dragging on the ground, and I was watching the whiteness of your soles. At that time, Abu Bakr was leading the people in prayer. When he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he began to step back, but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gestured for him to remain standing where he was. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sat beside him. Hazrat Abu Bakr was performing the prayer under the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) leadership, and the people were following Hazrat Abu Bakr.