Why Did Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه Step Back Despite the Prophet’s ﷺ Indication to Remain Leading?
Source: Fatāwā Amanpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri
❖ Question:
Sayyidunā Sahl ibn Saʿd رضي الله عنه narrated:
During the Prophet’s ﷺ final illness, Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه was leading the prayer. The Prophet ﷺ came forward, passing through the rows, and Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه intended to step back, but the Prophet ﷺ indicated to him to remain in his place. Yet, Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه moved back into the row and the Prophet ﷺ led the prayer.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 684; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 421)
Why did Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه step back even though the Prophet ﷺ had indicated him to remain?
❖ Answer:
Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه understood that the Prophet’s ﷺ gesture was meant as honor and respect for him, not as an obligatory command. Therefore, he felt it was not appropriate to stand in front of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in prayer.
After the prayer, the Prophet ﷺ asked:
“O Abū Bakr! What prevented you from staying where I told you?”
He replied:
“It is not befitting for the son of Abū Quḥāfah to pray in front of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 684; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 421)
This proves that Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه stepped back out of utmost respect and reverence for the Prophet ﷺ.
❖ Parallel Example – ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه at Ḥudaybiyyah
When the treaty was written, the Prophet ﷺ told ʿAlī رضي الله عنه to erase the title “Messenger of Allah”. ʿAlī رضي الله عنه said:
“By Allah, I will never erase you.”
Then the Prophet ﷺ himself erased it with his blessed hand.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3184, 4251; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1783)
Was this disobedience? Absolutely not.
It was out of love and reverence for the Messenger ﷺ, not defiance.
Conclusion:- Both Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه and ʿAlī رضي الله عنه showed adab (profound respect) for the Prophet ﷺ.
- Their actions were not disobedience but a reflection of their deep love and veneration.
- Thus, Abū Bakr’s رضي الله عنه stepping back was an expression of humility before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
