The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—lost consciousness during his final illness. When he came to he asked, “Has the prayer time arrived?” They answered, “Yes.” He said, “Tell Bilal to give the call to prayer, and tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer,” or, he said, “for the people.”

He then fainted again, and when he regained consciousness he asked, “Has the prayer time arrived?” They replied, “Yes.” He said, “Tell Bilal to give the call to prayer, and tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.”

ʿĀʾishah said, “My father is a soft-hearted man; if he stands in that position he will weep and be unable to continue. Would you not appoint someone else?” He lost consciousness once more, and when he recovered he said, “Tell Bilal to give the call to prayer, and tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer, for you women are behaving like the women who were with Joseph.”

So Bilal was instructed and he proclaimed the call to prayer, and Abu Bakr was instructed and he led the people in prayer. Later the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—felt some ease and said, “Find me someone I can lean on.” Barīrah and another man came, and he leaned on them. When Abu Bakr saw him he began to step back, but the Prophet motioned to him to remain where he was until Abu Bakr had completed his prayer.

After that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—passed away. ʿUmar said, “By Allah, I will not hear anyone mention that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—has died.” ⦗199⦘