Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) leads the Prayer prior to the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa)

In relation to Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) leading the prayers during the final illness of the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Aisha (ra) relates:

“During his illness, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Tell Abu Bakr (ra) to lead the people during the prayers.’” Hazrat Aisha (ra) states, “I then said, ‘Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) will not be able to be heard by the people due to [his] weeping whilst standing in your place. Therefore, instruct Hazrat Umar (ra) to lead the prayers.’” Hazrat Aisha (ra) then says, “I said to Hazrat Hafsahra, ‘Tell the Holy Prophet (sa) that if Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stands in his place the people will be unable to hear him from all his weeping, so he should instruct Hazrat Umar (ra) to lead the people in prayer.’ Hazrat Hafsahra did so, but the Holy Prophet (sa) expressed his displeasure and said, ‘Remain silent. You are behaving like the women in the time Joseph (as). Tell Abu Bakr that it is he who will lead the people in prayer.’”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab Ahl al-‘Ilm wa al-Fadl Ahaqq bi al-Amanah, Hadith 679)

Prior to the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa), when Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was not present, Hazrat Bilal (ra) told Hazrat Umar (ra) to lead the prayers. When the voice of Hazrat Umar (ra) reached the Holy Prophet (sa) in his room, he asked, “Where is Abu Bakr (ra)? Allah and the Muslims are not pleased that anyone other than Abu Bakr leads the prayers.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was then called and he arrived when Hazrat Umar (ra) had already completed the prayer. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) then continued to lead the prayers during the illness of the Holy Prophet (sa) up until his demise.

(Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma’rifat al-Ashab, Vol. 3, Harf al-‘Ain [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2002], pp. 96-97)

Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrates:

“During the course of his illness, the Holy Prophet (sa) instructed Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) to lead the people in prayer, and he did so accordingly.” Urwah reports, “When the Holy Prophet (sa) felt some relief from his illness, he came into the mosque. He saw that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was standing in the front, leading the people in prayer. When Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) saw the Holy Prophet (sa), he stepped back. Seeing this, the Holy Prophet (sa) indicated to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) to remain in his place and the Holy Prophet (sa) took a seat beside him. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) followed the Holy Prophet (sa) in prayer, and the people followed the prayer of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab man Qama ila Janb al-Imam, Hadith 683)

This is a narration of Sahih al-Bukhari. There is another similar narration in Bukhari. Hazrat Anas bin Malik Ansari (ra) narrates:

“Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) would lead the people in prayer during the illness of the Holy Prophet (sa) that led to his demise. It was on a Monday while people were praying in their rows when the Holy Prophet (sa) lifted the curtain to his chambers. The Holy Prophet (sa) was standing and looking toward us, and it was as though his blessed face was a page of the Holy Quran. He was happy and smiled, and we thought that we would happily take on any hardship upon seeing the Holy Prophet (sa). Meanwhile, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stepped backward to join the rows as he thought the Holy Prophet (sa) had come out for prayer, however, the Holy Prophet (sa) conveyed through an indication that we should complete our prayer, and then he let down his curtain. The Holy Prophet (sa) passed away that very day.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab Ahl al-‘Ilm wa al-Fadl Ahaqq bi al-Amanah, Hadith 680)