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English translation
785. It was narrated from Saḥl bin Sa'd that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ heard that there was a dispute among Banu 'Amr bin 'Awf, so he went to them with some other people to reconcile between them. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was delayed there, and the time for Zuhr came. Bilāl came to Abū Bakr and said to him: "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ has been delayed (there) and the time for prayer has come, will you lead the people in prayer?" Abū Bakr said:
'Yes, if you wish.' Bilâl said the Iqâmah and Abû Bakr went forward and said the Takbîr for the people.[1] Then the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ came, passing through the rows (of praying people) and stood in the (first) row and the people started clapping. Abû Bakr would never glance sideways in his prayer but when the people clapped so much he looked back and (saw) the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ. The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ gestured to him to carry on praying. Abû Bakr raised his hands praising Allâh the Mighty and Sublime, and retreated till he reached the (first) row. Then the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ went forward and led the people in the prayer. When he completed the prayer he turned to face the people and said: 'O people, why did you start clapping when something unusual happened to you in the prayer? Clapping is only for women. So whoever among you comes across something in the prayer should say: 'Subhân Allâh' for there is none who will not turn round when they hear him saying Subhân Allâh. O Abû Bakr! What prevented you from leading the people in the prayer when I gestured to you to do so?' Abû Bakr replied: 'It is not fitting for the son of Abû Quhâfah to lead the prayer in the presence of the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ.'" (Sahîh)
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Footnotes
1
[1] That is, he started the prayer for the congregation.
Commentary
1. Allāh's Messenger ﷺ beckoning Abū Bakr As-Siddiq ﷺ to continue with the prayer was due to ennoblement and honor. It was not a command, because in that case, his withdrawing himself would not have been permissible. Abū Bakr As-Siddiq's ﷺ raising his hands and praising and extolling Allāh and withdrawing himself corroborates this interpretation.
2. What happens when, in the absence of a prayer-leader (an established Imām), another person leads the prayer, after which the regular prayer-leader arrives? Should he withdraw himself? Some scholars have given a choice, but the Malikites consider it specific with the Prophet ﷺ, and this appears to be authentic. Without any dire necessity, advancement or postponement in the matter of prayer is not adequate. Allāh's Messenger's ﷺ action is something entirely different.
