Narrated Al-Aswad: "We were with `Aisha discussing the regularity of offering the prayer and dignifying it. She said, 'When Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) fell sick with the fatal illness and when the time of prayer became due and Adhan was pronounced, he said, 'Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.' He was told that Abu Bakr was a softhearted man and would not be able to lead the prayer in his place. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) gave the same order again but he was given the same reply. He gave the order for the third time and said, 'You (women) are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.' So Abu Bakr came out to lead the prayer. In the meantime the condition of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) improved a bit and he came out with the help of two men one on each side. As if I was observing his legs dragging on the ground owing to the disease. Abu Bakr wanted to retreat but the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) beckoned him to remain at his place and the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was brought till he sat beside Abu Bakr." Al-A`mash was asked, "Was the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) praying and Abu Bakr following him, and were the people following Abu Bakr in that prayer?" Al- A`mash replied in the affirmative with a nod of his head. Abu Muawiya said, "The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was sitting on the left side of Abu Bakr who was praying while standing."

Narrated `Aisha:

When Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) became seriously ill, Bilal came to him for the prayer. He said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." I said, "O Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.)! Abu Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands in your place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Will you order `Umar (to lead the prayer)?" The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." Then I said to Hafsa, "Tell him, Abu i Bakr is a softhearted man and if he stands in his place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Would you order `Umar to lead the prayer?' " Hafsa did so. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, "Verily you are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer." So Abu- Bakr stood for the prayer. In the meantime Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) felt better and came out with the help of two persons and both of his legs were dragging on the ground till he entered the mosque. When Abu Bakr heard him coming, he tried to retreat but Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) beckoned him to carry on. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) sat on his left side. Abu Bakr was praying while standing and Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) was leading the prayer while sitting. Abu Bakr was following the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the people were following Abu Bakr (in the prayer).

'A'isha reported:

When the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) was confined to bed, Bilal came to him to summon him to prayer. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Ask Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. She ('A'isha) reported: I said: Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr is a tenderhearted man, when he would stand at your place (he would be so overwhelmed by feelings) that he would not be able to make the people hear anything (his recitation would not be audible to the followers in prayer). You should better order Umar (to lead the prayer). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Ask Abu Bakr to lead people in prayer. She ('A'isha) said: I asked Hafsa to (convey) my impression to him (the Holy Prophet) that Abu Bakr was a tenderhearted man, so when he would stand at his place, he would not be able to make the people bear anything. He better order Umar. Hafsa conveyed this (message of Hadrat 'A'isha) to him (the Holy Prophet). The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said: (You are behaving) as if you are the females who had gathered around Yusuf. Order Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. She ('A'isha) reported: So Abu Bakr was ordered to lead the people in prayer. As the prayer began, the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) felt some relief; he got up and moved supported by two persons and his feet dragged on earth (due to excessive weakness). 'A'isha reported: As he (the Holy Prophet) entered the mosque. Abu Bakr perceived his (arrival). He was about to withdraw, but the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) by the gesture (of his hand) told him to keep standing at his place. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) came and seated himself on the left side of Abu Bakr. She ('A'isha) reported: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) was leading people in prayer sitting. Abu Bakr was following the prayer of the Apostle (s.a.w.a.) in a standing posture and the people were following the prayer of Abu Bakr.

A'mash reported: When the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) suffered from illness of which he died, and in the hadith transmitted by Ibn Mus-hir, the words are: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) was brought till he was seated by his (Abu Bakr's) side and the Apostle (s.a.w.a.) led the people in prayer and Abu Bakr was making takbir audible to them, and in the hadith transmitted by 'Isa the (words are):" The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) sat and led the people in prayer and Abu Bakr was by his side and he was making (takbir) audible to the people."