While the Prophet (r) was caught in a debilitating sickness, he inquired, “Has everybody
offered prayers?” Those attending him replied, “No, O Prophet of Allah (r), they are waiting
for you.” He asked someone to bring water in a pan. After being served with his request, he
took a bath and tried to get up, but fell unconscious. On regaining consciousness after a
short while, he again asked, “Has everybody offered prayers?” They replied, “No, O Prophet
of Allah, they are waiting for you.” All the people were then sitting silently in the Prophet’s
Mosque for the night prayer. Now Abu Bakr was considerate enough and concerned with
the prevailing situation that he asked ‘Umar to lead the prayer. ‘Umar, however, declined
saying that he (Abu Bakr) was more qualified than he was. Thus, Abu Bakr’s illness.
When the Prophet (r) felt a bit better he came out taking the help of ‘Abbas and ‘Ali for
the noon prayer. As soon as Abu Bakr came to know of the Prophet's arrival, he tried to step
back, but the Prophet (r) directed him not to leave his place and asked the two who were
supporting him to let him take the seat by the side of Abu Bakr. Thus, the Prophet (r) per-
formed the prayer sitting while Abu Bakr kept standing in the prayer.
Umm Al-Fadl ibn al-Harith says that she had heard Allah’s Messenger reciting Soorah al-
Mursalat at the sunset prayer. Thereafter he did not lead any prayer until Allah summoned
him to His presence. (Al-Bukhaari, Kitab us-Salat)
AN ADDRESS
Of the few occasions when the Prophet (r) made for the pulpit during his illness, he once
said while a cloth was tied around his head. “Behold, Allah gave to His bondmen the choice
between this world and that which is with Him, so he chose that which is with Allah.” Abu
Bakr saw the significance of the Prophet’s word, for he knew that it was the Prophet (r)
himself who had been given that choice. He broke into tears and exclaimed, “Nay, may our
own lives and our children be your ransom.’
The Prophet (r) then replied, “Abu Bakr, have patience and don’t be hasty. Indeed, of all
the people, the most generous toward me in regard to his life and property was Abu Bakr.
And, were I to choose anyone to be my dearest friend, indeed I would choose Abu Bakr. But
the love and concern for Islam takes precedence above all others.” The Prophet (r) also said
in this occasion, “There shall be left open no door of the mosque save Abu Bakr’s”. (Al-
Bukhaari, Kitab Us-Salat)
DIRECTIVES FOR KINDLINESS TO THE ANSAAR
‘Abbaas and company happened to pass by a group of Ansaar. They saw them weeping
and asked, “What makes you weep?” They answered, “We have been recalling our meetings
with the Prophet of Allah (r).” When the Prophet (r) was informed of the incident, he
came out, the end of his mantle wound round his head, and mounted the pulpit. He did not
mount the pulpit again after that day when he praised Allah and extolled Him. Then he said,