Saalim bin 'Ubayd Radiyallahu 'Anhu, a sahaabi narrates:
"Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam became unconscious (many times) during
his (last) illness. When he became conscious he would ask: 'Is it already time
for salaah?' When they replied yes, he would say: 'Instruct Bilaal to call out
the adhaan, and instruct Abubakr to lead the salaah'. This happened a few
times.(He said this because he was too ill to go to the masjid. Sayyidinia
Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu was naturally soft-natured. Many a time he would weep
easily. Sayyiditina 'Aayesha Radiallallahu 'Anha knew her fathers relationship
with Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam and that he would not be
able to withstand the absence of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi
Wasallain. Therefore 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha made a request. 'My father has
a soft heart. If he is going to stand on your place and lead the salaah, he will
begin to weep, and will not be able to lead the salaah. Therefore, request
someone else to lead the salaah'. In this manner after 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha
had made several requests;- Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam replied: 'Do
you wish to become of those women in the incident of Yusuf ('Alayhis Salaam).
Instruct Abubakr to lead the salaah'. (The 'ulama have given their opinions on
the saying of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam that. 'You are
like the women of Yusuf 'Alayhis Salaam'. The first is that by you 'Aayeshah
Radiyallahu 'Anha is meant, and by women only Zulaykha is meant. The plural is
used as a mark of respect. According to this saying. (a.) The example is given
of stressing on talking of things that are of no value, like Zulaykha stressed
Yusuf 'Alayhis Salaam to do something which was unadvisable and improper. In the
same manner you are stressing on a thing which is out of place and incorrect.
(b.) just as Zulaykha invited those women who tormented her, outwardly it was an
invitation, but the actual reason was that they see the handsomeness and beauty
of Yusuf 'Alayhis Salaam and will excuse this wickedness of hers. In the sane
manner Sayyiditina 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha outwardly said this that
Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu is soft-natured. He will not be able to
stand on your place (in salaah), but she had this in mind, as mentioned by her
on another occasion that: "What made me repeat this to Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam, was that according to me the people would never like such a person,
who stands on the place of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam, and
will think of him as unlucky and unfortunate"
The second explanation is that by 'you', Sayyiditina 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha
and Sayyiditina Hafsah Radiyallahu 'Anha are meant, and by the women of Yusuf 'Alayhis
Salaam, those women are meant who were invited by Zulaykha. According to this
saying too, the following is said: (a.) The example is given on useless talk
that both Sayyiditina 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha and Sayyiditina Hafsah
Radiyallahu 'Anha were stressing something that was improper. In some narrations
it is also mentioned that Sayyiditina Hafsah Radiyallahu 'Anha stressed on the
same thing. (b.) This similarity is to show and stress on a thing that is not in
the heart. Sayyiditina 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha had in mind, that if the
people see Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu standing on the place of
Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, they will begin to have evil
thoughts of Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu'Anhu being very unfortunate and
unlucky. She also persuaded Sayyiditina Hafsah Radiyallahu 'Anha, the daughter
of Sayyidina 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu to think alike and side with her, and that
Sayyiditina Hafsah Radiyallahu 'Anha may feel the greatness for her father
Sayyidina Umar Radiyallahu'Anhu, and may also fancy that he would fulfil the
position of a successor. Therefore Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam described to her the similitude of the women of Yusuf 'Alayhis Salaam.
They outwardly declared their approval of Zulaykha's behaviour with Yusuf 'Alayhis
Salaam, but secretly each one tried to attract Yusuf 'Alayhis Salaam towards
themselves. Some of the 'ulama have given other reasons too. Since this is a
lengthy hadith, the commentary is being mentioned briefly here. The translation
of the remaining portion of this hadith will be mentioned later, where
necessary. an explanation is also given. In some narrations it has also been
mentioned that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said that Allah
Ta'aala and the Muslims would not accept anyone else besides Sayyidina Abubakr
Radiyallahu 'Anhu.
Carrying out the instructions of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, Abubakr
Radiyallahu 'Anhu led the salaah. (He performed seventeen salaahs till the death
of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. This incident which is
mentioned above began on a Thursday evening. On Thursday the illness of
Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam became worse. All this took
place at the time of 'eshaa on Friday night (Thursday night in common usage).
From this salaah onwards Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu began leading the
prayers. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam passed away on a
Monday just before midday. Therefore the total number of salaah led by Sayyidina
Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu till the death of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam is seventeen prayers, which Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu
performed continuously. According to this humble servant the illness of
Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had begun long before this,
hence Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu had led the salaah on a number of
occasions.)
Once during the illness, Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam felt a bit well
during the time of salaah. He asked if there was anyone who could support him
till the masjid, Barirah and another person offered themselves, held him by his
mubaarak hands and took him to the masjid. Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu sensing the
arrival of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, thought of moving back.
Rasulullah Sallallah 'Alayhi Wasallam signaled him to remain there. Abubakr
Radiyallahu 'Anhu completed the salaah. After that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam passed away. (He passed away on a Monday).
It is apparent what difficulties and hardships the Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum
experienced at this time, also bearing in mind the mischief of the munaafiqeen-hypocrites
and enemies. The upkeep and safeguarding of the garden that Sayyidina Rasulullah
Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam nurtured for twenty three years. Together with all
this the passing away of the blessed and noble personality of Sayyidina
Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam, who was so beloved, for whom the Sahaabah
Radiyallahu 'Anhum had sacrificed their homes, family and relatives. On this
morning it seemed that he was recovering, actually he was sustaining it and not
recovering. After the death of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam
the news spread quickly, but many people could not believe it. Therefore, 'Umar
(a respected and strong hearted person with all the virtues, courage, tolerance
etc. could not bear it, and in this state unsheathed his sword and stood up and)
began saying, "I swear by Allah that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam has
not passed away. The person saying Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam had
passed away. I will severe that person's head with my sword". He (Saalim) said,
the people were ummis (unlettered-they did read or write), nor was there a nabi
among them before this, therefore all those present kept silent. They (the
Sahaabah) said to Saalim go to the companion of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam and call him.
(He is the only one that will bring the boat to shore at this stormy period.
Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu after seeing that Sayyidina Rasulullah
Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was feeling better had taken leave from Sayyidina
Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam to go and visit his family which was about
the distance of a mile away). I went to Abubakr (Radiyallahu 'Anhu) in the state
of shock and tears were flowing from my eyes. At that time he was in the masjid.
Upon seeing my state asked: 'Did Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam) pass
away? I conveyed the news to him and also said to him that 'Umar had said, if he
heard anyone saying Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam) has died, he would
cut off that person's head with that sword of his. Abubakr said, "Let's go". I
went with him. He reached the house while the people were gathering around
Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam). He said: 'O people, make way for me'.
The people made way for him. He gave a deep look at the mubaarak face of
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam and kissed his forehead, then recited
this aayah:
"Lo! thou will die, and lo! they will die..." - Surah Zumur, 30.
Then they (Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum) asked: 'O Companion (Abubakr Radiyallahu
'Anhu) of Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam) has Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam) really passed away?' He replied: 'Yes'. Now they accepted. (After that
they asked him other questions, because in every question there was a
peculiarity.) They said: 'O Companion of Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam),
should janaazah salaah be performed for Rasulullah?' He replied: 'Yes'. They
said: 'And how?' He said: 'A group at a time enter the room and perform the
janazah salaah individually without jamaa'ah, and return. In this manner all
will perform this salaah'. They (the Sahaabah) asked. 'O Companion of Rasulullah
(Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam) shall Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam be
buried?' He replied: 'Yes' They inquired: 'Where?' He replied: 'At the spot
where Allah had taken his ruh. Verily'Allah Ta'aala has not taken his ruh but at
a venerated place'. They (Sahaabah) knew he said the truth (and became satisfied
with all the answers). Thereafter he instructed the family of his (Rasulullah
Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam's) father to carry out the tajheez and takfeen.
(Sayyidina 'Ali, Sayyidina Fadl bin 'Abbaas, Sayyidina Usaamah and Sayyidina
Shaqraan,-the slave of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam-Radiyallahu 'Anhum carried out the tajheez and takfeen.)
(And to safeguard Islaam and keep away differences and controversies, he
suggested a person should be chosen, and all matters referred to him. In one
narration it is stated that when Sayyidina 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu unsheathed
his sword and was saying, "The one who says that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu
'Alayhi Wasallam has passed away, I will cut off his head". Sayyidina Abubakr
Radiyallahu 'Anhu cautioned him and delivered a khutbah wherein he recited the
aayah of the Qur-aan: "Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of
whom) have passed away before him..." - Surah Aali 'Imraan, 144.
Thereafter he said the one who worshipped Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam
should know that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had passed
away, the one who worships Allah, let him know that Allah is living and will
live for ever. When the people heard Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu
delivering the khutbah, they all attentively turned their attention towards the
mimbar. In a narration it is stated, that Abubakr Radiyallah 'Anhu said in this
khutbah, it is now necessary to choose a person who shall keep up and guard the
deen. Every person should give his view.)
The Muhaajireen got together and discussed the matter. They said: 'Lets go to
our brothers from among the Ansaar and include them in this matter. The Ansaar
said: 'we shall have an amir, and the Muhaajireen, shall have an amir (Upon that
Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu narrated the saying of Sayyidina Rasulullah
Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam that the amirs are from the Quraysh) 'Umar ibnul
Khattaab Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: 'Who is that person who in one instance
possesses these three virtues Whom Allah Ta'aala has mentioned Qur-aan thus:
"...
(1) the second of two; when they two were in the cave,
(2) when he said unto
his comrade: Grieve not.
(3) Lo! Allah is with us..." - Surah Taubah40.
Also other virtues. These three should also be such that they are of the highest
order: (l.) To have unity and a close relationship with Sayyidina Rasulullah
Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam and have assisted him when he was alone.
(2.) Allah
Ta'aala addresses him as the Companion of Sayyidina Rasululah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam'.
(3) Be in the company of Allah, as Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam has said to him that 'Allah is with us'. At that time both Sayyidina
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam and Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu
were there, regarding which Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam
said: 'Allah is with us.' Sayyidina'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: 'You say, who
are these two persons that are mentioned in the aayah. How great are these two
personalities?' i.e. Who can be a greater personality than Sayyidina Rasulullah
Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu? Besides this
they discussed other matters too, which have been mentioned in the narrations.
In one hadith it is stated Sayyidina 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: 'O Ansaar, do
you know that Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam instructed Abubakr to stand
on his musallaa (place of prayer)? During the time of his illness he instructed
Abubakr to lead the prayers? Who amongst you has the heart to remove such a
person from the imaamah, whom Rasululllah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam appointed
as an Imaam'. The Ansaar said: 'We seek refuge in Allah. We cannot by pass
Abubakr'
Thereafter 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu offered him his hand and made bay'ah
(allegiance). All the people (present at Saqifah whole heartedly and with
eagerness) also made bay'ah on the hands of Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu.
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللهِ
بْنُ دَاوُدَ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا سَلَمَةُ بْنُ نُبَيْطٍ، عَنْ نُعَيْمِ بْنِ
أَبِي هِنْدَ، عَنْ نُبَيْطِ بْنِ شَرِيطٍ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ، وَكَانَتْ
لَهُ صُحْبَةٌ، قَالَ: أُغْمِيَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فِي
مَرَضِهِ فَأَفَاقَ، فَقَالَ: حَضَرَتِ الصَّلاةُ؟ فَقَالُوا: نَعَمْ فَقَالَ:
مُرُوا بِلالا فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ، وَمُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ للنَّاسِ أَوْ
قَالَ: بِالنَّاسِ، قَالَ: ثُمَّ أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ، فَأَفَاقَ، فَقَالَ:
حَضَرَتِ الصَّلاةُ؟ فَقَالُوا: نَعَمْ فَقَالَ: مُرُوا بِلالا فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ،
وَمُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ، فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ: إِنَّ أَبِي
رَجُلٌ أَسِيفٌ، إِذَا قَامَ ذَلِكَ الْمَقَامَ بَكَى فَلا يَسْتَطِيعُ، فَلَوْ
أَمَرْتَ غَيْرَهُ، قَالَ: ثُمَّ أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَفَاقَ فَقَالَ: مُرُوا
بِلالا فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ، وَمُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ، فَإِنَّكُنَّ
صَوَاحِبُ أَوْ صَوَاحِبَاتُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ: فَأُمِرَ بِلالٌ فَأَذَّنَ، وَأُمِرَ
أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَصَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ، ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم،
وَجَدَ خِفَّةً، فَقَالَ: انْظُرُوا لِي مَنْ أَتَّكِئِ عَلَيْهِ، فَجَاءَتْ
بَرِيرَةُ، وَرَجُلٌ آخَرُ، فَاتَّكَأَ عَلَيْهِمَا فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ
ذَهَبَ لِينْكُصَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَثْبُتَ مَكَانَهُ، حَتَّى قَضَى أَبُو
بَكْرٍ صَلاتَهُ..
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قُبِضَ، فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: وَاللَّهِ
لا أَسْمَعُ أَحَدًا يَذْكُرُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، قُبِضَ إِلا
ضَرَبْتُهُ بِسَيْفِي هَذَا، قَالَ: وَكَانَ النَّاسُ أُمِّيِّينَ لَمْ يَكُنْ
فِيهِمْ نَبِيٌّ قَبْلَهُ، فَأَمْسَكَ النَّاسُ، فَقَالُوا: يَا سَالِمُ،
انْطَلِقْ إِلَى صَاحِبِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَادْعُهُ، فَأَتَيْتُ
أَبَا بَكْرٍ وَهُوَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَأَتَيْتُهُ أَبْكِي دَهِشًا، فَلَمَّا
رَآنِي، قَالَ: أَقُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قُلْتُ: إِنَّ
عُمَرَ، يَقُولُ: لا أَسْمَعُ أَحَدًا يَذْكُرُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله
عليه وسلم قُبِضَ إِلا ضَرَبْتُهُ بِسَيْفِي هَذَا، فَقَالَ لِي: انْطَلِقْ،
فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَهُ، فَجَاءَ هُوَ وَالنَّاسُ قَدْ دَخَلُوا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ
صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَقَالَ: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، أَفْرِجُوا لِي،
فَأَفْرَجُوا لَهُ فَجَاءَ حَتَّى أَكَبَّ عَلَيْهِ وَمَسَّهُ، فَقَالَ: إِنَّكَ
مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُمْ مَيِّتُونَ، ثُمَّ قَالُوا: يَا صَاحِبَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى
الله عليه وسلم، أَقُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ،
فَعَلِمُوا أَنْ قَدْ صَدَقَ، قَالُوا: يَا صَاحِبَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه
وسلم، أَيُصَلَّى عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ، قَالُوا: وَكَيْفَ؟
قَالَ: يَدْخُلُ قَوْمٌ فَيُكَبِّرُونَ وَيُصَلُّونَ، وَيَدْعُونَ، ثُمَّ
يَخْرُجُونَ، ثُمَّ يَدْخُلُ قَوْمٌ فَيُكَبِّرُونَ وَيُصَلُّونَ وَيَدْعُونَ، ثُمَّ
يَخْرُجُونَ، حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ النَّاسُ، قَالُوا: يَا صَاحِبَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى
الله عليه وسلم، أَيُدْفَنُ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ،
قَالُوا: أَينَ؟ قَالَ: فِي الْمكَانِ الَّذِي قَبَضَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ رُوحَهُ،
فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَقْبِضْ رُوحَهُ إِلا فِي مَكَانٍ طَيِّبٍ فَعَلِمُوا أَنْ
قَدْ صَدَقَ، ثُمَّ أَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَغْسِلَهُ بَنُو أَبِيهِ، وَاجْتَمَعَ
الْمُهَاجِرُونَ يَتَشَاوَرُونَ، فَقَالُوا: انْطَلِقْ بِنَا إِلَى إِخْوانِنَا
مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ نُدْخِلُهُمْ مَعَنَا فِي هَذَا الأَمْرِ، فَقَالَتِ الأَنْصَارُ:
مِنَّا أَمِيرٌ وَمِنْكُمْ أَمِيرٌ، فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ: مَنْ لَهُ
مِثْلُ هَذِهِ الثَّلاثِ ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ
لِصَاحِبِهِ لا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا مَنْ هُمَا؟ قَالَ: ثُمَّ بَسَطَ
يَدَهُ فَبَايَعَهُ وَبَايَعَهُ النَّاسُ بَيْعَةً حَسَنَةً جَمِيلَةً.