The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا زَائِدَةُ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أَبِي عَائِشَةَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَلاَ تُحَدِّثِينِي عَنْ مَرَضِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ بَلَى، ثَقُلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ ". قُلْنَا لاَ، هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ. قَالَ " ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ ". قَالَتْ فَفَعَلْنَا فَاغْتَسَلَ فَذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ ". قُلْنَا لاَ، هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. قَالَ " ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ ". قَالَتْ فَقَعَدَ فَاغْتَسَلَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ " أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ ". قُلْنَا لاَ، هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. فَقَالَ " ضَعُوا لِي مَاءً فِي الْمِخْضَبِ "، فَقَعَدَ فَاغْتَسَلَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ لِيَنُوءَ فَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَقَالَ " أَصَلَّى النَّاسُ ". فَقُلْنَا لاَ، هُمْ يَنْتَظِرُونَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ وَالنَّاسُ عُكُوفٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ يَنْتَظِرُونَ النَّبِيَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ لِصَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ الآخِرَةِ ـ فَأَرْسَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ بِأَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ، فَأَتَاهُ الرَّسُولُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ بِالنَّاسِ. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ـ وَكَانَ رَجُلاً رَقِيقًا ـ يَا عُمَرُ صَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ. فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ أَنْتَ أَحَقُّ بِذَلِكَ. فَصَلَّى أَبُو بَكْرٍ تِلْكَ الأَيَّامَ، ثُمَّ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَجَدَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ خِفَّةً فَخَرَجَ بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا الْعَبَّاسُ لِصَلاَةِ الظُّهْرِ، وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ، فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ذَهَبَ لِيَتَأَخَّرَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِأَنْ لاَ يَتَأَخَّرَ. قَالَ " أَجْلِسَانِي إِلَى جَنْبِهِ ". فَأَجْلَسَاهُ إِلَى جَنْبِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ. قَالَ فَجَعَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُصَلِّي وَهْوَ يَأْتَمُّ بِصَلاَةِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالنَّاسُ بِصَلاَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَاعِدٌ. قَالَ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَلاَ أَعْرِضُ عَلَيْكَ مَا حَدَّثَتْنِي عَائِشَةُ عَنْ مَرَضِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ هَاتِ. فَعَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ حَدِيثَهَا، فَمَا أَنْكَرَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا، غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ أَسَمَّتْ لَكَ الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي كَانَ مَعَ الْعَبَّاسِ قُلْتُ لاَ. قَالَ هُوَ عَلِيٌّ.
I went to `Aisha and asked her to describe to me the illness of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). `Aisha said, "Yes. The
Prophet became seriously ill and asked whether the people had prayed. We replied, 'No. O Allah's
Apostle! They are waiting for you.' He added, 'Put water for me in a trough." `Aisha added, "We did
so. He took a bath and tried to get up but fainted. When he recovered, he again asked whether the
people had prayed. We said, 'No, they are waiting for you. O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ),' He again said, 'Put
water in a trough for me.' He sat down and took a bath and tried to get up but fainted again. Then he
recovered and said, 'Have the people prayed?' We replied, 'No, they are waiting for you. O Allah's
Apostle.' He said, 'Put water for me in the trough.' Then he sat down and washed himself and tried to
get up but he fainted. When he recovered, he asked, 'Have the people prayed?' We said, 'No, they are
waiting for you. O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! The people were in the mosque waiting for the Prophet (ﷺ) for the
`Isha prayer. The Prophet (ﷺ) sent for Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer. The messenger went to
Abu Bakr and said, 'Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) orders you to lead the people in the prayer.' Abu Bakr was a
softhearted man, so he asked `Umar to lead the prayer but `Umar replied, 'You are more rightful.' So
Abu Bakr led the prayer in those days. When the Prophet (ﷺ) felt a bit better, he came out for the Zuhr
prayer with the help of two persons one of whom was Al-`Abbas. while Abu Bakr was leading the
people in the prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him he wanted to retreat but the Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned him not
to do so and asked them to make him sit beside Abu Bakr and they did so. Abu Bakr was following
the Prophet (in the prayer) and the people were following Abu Bakr. The Prophet (prayed) sitting."
'Ubaidullah added "I went to `Abdullah bin `Abbas and asked him, Shall I tell you what Aisha has told
me about the fatal illness of the Prophet?' Ibn `Abbas said, 'Go ahead. I told him her narration and he
did not deny anything of it but asked whether `Aisha told me the name of the second person (who
helped the Prophet (ﷺ) ) along with Al-Abbas. I said. 'No.' He said, 'He was `Ali (Ibn Abi Talib).
Narrated by Narrated 'Ubaidullah Ibn `Abdullah bin `Utba:
Context
This hadith describes a poignant moment during the final illness of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Despite his deteriorating health, he was concerned about the prayer and the congregation waiting for him. His repeated requests for water to purify himself highlight his dedication to leading the prayer, showcasing the importance of communal worship in Islam. Ultimately, he instructed Abu Bakr to lead the prayer, demonstrating the significance of maintaining the prayer even in times of personal hardship.
Modern Application
In today's fast-paced world, the importance of communal prayers remains significant. Muslims often prioritize attending prayers together, especially during difficult times, reflecting the unity and support found in the community. This hadith encourages individuals to uphold their religious duties and responsibilities, even when facing personal challenges.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the Prophet's (ﷺ) unwavering commitment to leading prayers and emphasizes the importance of communal worship.
If you do not aid the Prophet - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, "Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us." And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah - that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.
This hadith is #669 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Call to Prayers (Adhaan). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated 'Ubaidullah Ibn `Abdullah bin `Utba:.