Sahih al-Bukhari Book 10, Hadith 81
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).
The Prophet (came to my house and) asked permission for entering and I allowed him. He asked, "Where do you like me to pray in your house?" I pointed to a place which I liked. He stood up for prayer and we aligned behind him and he finished the prayer with Taslim and we did the same.
the mother of the believers: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) during his illness prayed at his house while sitting whereas some people prayed behind him standing. The Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned them to sit down. On completion of the prayer, he said, 'The Imam is to be followed: bow when he bows, raise up your heads (stand erect) when he raises his head and when he says, 'Sami`a l-lahu liman hamidah' (Allah heard those who sent praises to Him) say then 'Rabbana wa laka l-hamd' (O our Lord! All the praises are for You), and if he prays sitting then pray sitting."