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1234. It was narrated that Sālim bin 'Ubaid said: "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ fainted when he was sick, then he woke up and said: 'Has the time for prayer come?' They said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Tell Bilāl to call the Adhān, and tell Abu Bākr to lead the people in prayer.' Then he fainted, then he woke up and said: 'Has the time for prayer come?' They said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Tell Bilāl to call the Adhān, and tell Abu Bākr to lead the people in prayer.' Then he fainted, then he woke up and said: 'Has the time for prayer come?' They said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Tell Bilāl to call the Adhān, and tell Abu Bākr to lead the people in prayer.' 'Āishah said: 'My father is a tenderhearted man, and if he stands in that place he will weep and will not be able to do it. If you told someone else to do it (that would be better).' Then he fainted, then woke up and
said: 'Tell Bilâl to call the Adhân, and tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. You are (like) the female companions of Yusuf.' So Bilâl was told to call the Adhân and he did so, and Abu Bakr was told to lead the people in prayer. And he did so then the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ felt a little better, and he said: 'Find me someone I can lean on.' Barirah and another man came, and he leaned on them. When Abu Bakr saw him, he started to step back, but (the Prophet ﷺ) gestured him to stay where he was. Then the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ came and sat beside Abu Bakr, until Abu Bakr finished praying. Then the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ passed away." (Sahih)
Abu 'Abdullâh (Ibn Mâjah) said: "This Hadîth is Gharib. It was not narrated by anyone other than Nasr bin 'Ali.
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Commentary
The fact that, of all the Companions present, the Prophet ﷺ singled out Abu Bakr ﷺ to lead the people in prayer, shows his excellence over others.
Taking their cue from this incident, the Companions chose none else but Abu Bakr ﷺ for the greater office of leadership, i.e., caliphate.
In case of necessity, it is allowed in Islam to secure certain appropriate services from a woman other than a Mahram (a near non-marriageable relative) only if there is no possibility of it giving rise to any misunderstanding, or leading to an unwelcome result. Barirah ﷺ was a freed handmaid of 'Aishah ﷺ. She was thus a freed person during the last days of the Prophet ﷺ. However, the correct position in this case, is that the two persons that lent their support to the Prophet ﷺ were 'Ali and 'Abbâs ﷺ (Sahih Al-Bukhârî: 665).
