Nasai

1832. Commentary:

➊ The final sight of the radiant face of the beloved Prophet of the Generous Lord (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) during his lifetime became a memorable event for the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum), which they continued to recall with mixed feelings of love and sorrow. How fortunate were those people who were granted this rare opportunity.

➋ For a believer, the desire to die on a Monday is a sign of his devotion and love for the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

➌ Out of necessity, curtains may be hung on doors.

➍ The appointment of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) for leading the prayer indicates his virtue, and it was also an indication towards the caliphate of Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) after the passing of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

Hadith Commentary:
On Wednesday, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to the house of Sayyidah Aisha (radi Allahu anha) and sat in a large tub, pouring seven water-skins of water over his head. When he felt some relief, he went to the mosque, led the prayer, and delivered a sermon.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4449)
On Thursday, the illness intensified, and in that state he said:
“Bring (writing materials) so that I may write something for you, after which you will never go astray.”
On that same day, he made three bequests.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4431)
On that day, he led the Maghrib prayer in which he recited Surah al-Mursalat.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4429)
On that day, he intended three times to go to the mosque for the Isha prayer, but after performing ritual bath (ghusl), whenever he tried to stand, he would fall unconscious. Eventually, he said:
“Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Adhan, Hadith: 687)
Thus, Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) led seventeen prayers during the Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) lifetime.
On Saturday or Sunday, with the support of Abbas and Ali (radi Allahu anhuma), he came to the mosque while the Dhuhr prayer had already begun.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sat beside Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) and led the prayer.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 687)
The next day, at the time of the morning prayer, the curtain was lifted while the prayer was in progress.
For a short while, he observed this pure scene, which was the result of his teaching.
From this sight, there was radiance on his blessed face and a smile on his lips.
Finally, the agony of death began.
A bowl of water was placed at his bedside.
He would dip his hand in it and wipe it over his blessed face.
During this, he would say with his blessed tongue:
“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah; indeed, death has its agonies.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4449)
At last, on Monday, the 12th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, 11 AH, at mid-morning, the pure soul departed from the blessed body.
At that time, the age of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was 63 years and 4 days.
Regarding the sermon, the following hadith is recorded:
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) came out to us during his illness of death, wrapped in a sheet and with a black band tied around his head, until he sat on the pulpit, praised and glorified Allah, and delivered a sermon regarding the Ansar.
This was the last gathering of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) on the pulpit.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Manaqib, Hadith: 3628)

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
It is clearly established from this hadith that until the passing of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) remained his successor in leading the prayer. This is precisely the intent of Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah): that those possessing knowledge and virtue are more deserving of leading the prayer (imamah). It should be noted that the propaganda of the Shia that, at the last moment, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself came out and dismissed Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) from imamah is false. (Sharh al-Kirmani: 5/63) In this hadith, the beautiful countenance of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is likened to a page of the Qur’an. This is a most remarkable and pure analogy, for the page of the Qur’an is adorned with gold. The radiant face of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) bore the yellowish hue of illness; thus, in brilliance and color during illness, it was likened to gold, and in sanctity and purity, it was likened to the Noble Qur’an.

(2)
On Monday, at the time of the morning prayer, the curtain that hung between the house of A’ishah (radi Allahu anha) and the Mosque of Taybah was lifted. At that time, the prayer was in progress. This prayer was completed by Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu). (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4448) Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah), referencing the Maghazi of Musa ibn Uqbah (rahimahullah), has written that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) performed one rak‘ah behind Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu). (Fath al-Bari: 2/218) It is possible that, sitting near the curtain, he performed that rak‘ah following Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu). On that same day, when the sun had risen, ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) arrived, and in his hand was a fresh miswak. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) looked at the miswak, so the Pure Lady of the Universe (as-Siddiqah, i.e., A’ishah radi Allahu anha) took it from him and softened it with her teeth. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used it in that very state. Then he raised his hand and said: “O Allah! I desire the highest companionship.” At that very moment, his hand fell, and he entrusted his soul to the Creator of souls. (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4449)
INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAYHI RAJI‘UN.

Hadith Commentary:
This was the dawn (Fajr) prayer on Monday, the last day of the blessed life. For a short while, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) continued to observe this pure display of congregational prayer, upon which his radiant face showed happiness and a smile appeared on his lips.
At that moment, his blessed countenance appeared like a page of the Qur’an.
After this, no other prayer in this world became obligatory upon the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
On this very occasion, he repeatedly emphasized to those present: “As-salat, as-salat, and what your right hands possess.” This was his final bequest, which he reiterated several times, and then the state of death throes (naz‘) overtook him.
(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)

Hadith Commentary:
1.
The incident from the last days of the blessed life of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) regarding the Fajr prayer on Monday, as mentioned in this hadith:
When he saw the Muslims engaged in prayer and observed for a short while their performance of the congregational prayer,
then cheerfulness appeared on his radiant countenance and a smile was evident on his lips.
In one narration, it is stated that at that moment, due to the brightness, his blessed face appeared like a page of the Qur’an.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Adhan, Hadith: 680)
After this, in this world of color and scent, no other prayer time came upon the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
At that time, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) repeatedly emphasized the importance of prayer to those present, so much so that his final bequest was to continue performing the prayer and to treat those under your authority with kindness.
He repeated this bequest again and again.
2.
The relevance to the chapter heading is as follows: after this, the state of death throes (naz‘) overtook him,
as is explicitly mentioned in one narration.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Adhan, Hadith: 754)

Hadith Commentary:
The translation of the chapter heading is thus derived: the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) turned their attention during the very course of the prayer.
For if they had not turned their attention, how would they have seen the Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) lifting of the curtain, and how would they have understood his gesture?
In fact, out of sheer joy, their state became such that they were close to forgetting the prayer and rushing towards the sight of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
This very state has been expressed in these words: that the Muslims intended to fall into trial (fitnah).
In any case, these are specific circumstances.
Otherwise, in general, turning one’s attention (iltifat) during prayer is not permissible, as has been mentioned in the previous hadith.
In the Noble Qur’an, Allah the Exalted says:
﴿Wa qoomoo lillahi qaaniteen﴾ (, al-Baqarah: 238)
That is, stand before Allah as devoutly obedient servants with heartfelt attention during prayer.
The essence of prayer is that one should, with the conviction that Allah is present and watching, attach one’s heart to Him.
The noble verse ﴿alladhīna hum fī ṣalātihim khāshiʿūn﴾ (, al-Mu’minun: 2)
demands exactly this.

Hadith Commentary:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established that if, during prayer, some new and particular matter arises, then it is permissible to take it into consideration during the prayer, provided that it does not require performing any act that invalidates the prayer. For example, when Abu Bakr as-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu saw the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he stepped back on his heels so that he could join the row and vacate the place of leadership (imamah) for him. Similarly, the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum also turned their attention to look at the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and then they also observed his gesture.
(Fath al-Bari: 2/306)

Hadith Commentary: The purpose of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah is to show that even now, if a particular situation arises of this kind—where the imam has to move backward or some incident occurs that necessitates it—then the prayer will not become deficient in this manner.

Hadith Commentary:
From this hadith, it is understood that due to an incident, moving backward or forward during the prayer does not invalidate the prayer, because Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu), upon seeing the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), first stepped back, then when he received your gesture, he moved forward and completed the prayer. However, this action should not be done repeatedly or in large quantity.

As is mentioned in the hadith narrated by Aisha (radi Allahu anha), that sometimes the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would be performing prayer and the door would be closed, so I would knock on it, and he would walk and open the door, then return to his place of prayer.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, As-Salat, Hadith: 922)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
This hadith establishes that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not perform the Monday morning prayer behind Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu).
If the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had performed the second rak‘ah later, then surely Anas (radi Allahu anhu) would have seen him and would not have said:
(FALAM NAQDIR ‘ALAYHI HATTA MAAT)
“We were not able to see him until he passed away.”
And from this, it is also established that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had passed away.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
Anas radi Allahu anhu likened the blessed face of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam to a page (waraq) because, due to illness and weakness, paleness and whiteness prevailed on his face instead of redness. He mentioned the page of the Mushaf (Qur’an) because the page of the Noble Qur’an holds love, respect, and reverence in the hearts of the believers. Likewise, the blessed face of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was also characterized by these qualities.

➋
According to the well-known statement of the scholars of Seerah, the death of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam occurred at the time of forenoon (duha), that is, before noon. See: (Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, p. 630) In the last days of the life of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu led seventeen prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque. (Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, p. 627)

Benefit:
This hadith establishes the tremendous virtue of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu, and it is also proven that the first Caliph without any interval, the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, wished to appoint Sayyiduna Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu during his own lifetime. For this reason, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam himself, during his lifetime, commanded that Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu lead the prayer on his prayer mat. Furthermore, a detailed discussion on this has already passed in Musnad Abi Bakr.