Volume 1, Book 11, Number 681:
Narrated ‘Aisha:
When Allah’s Apostle became seriously ill, Bilal came to him for the prayer. He said, “Tell Abu Bakr
to lead the people in the prayer.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Abu Bakr is a soft-hearted man and if he
stands in your place, he would not be able to make the people hear him. Will you order ‘Umar (to
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lead the prayer)?” The Prophet said, “Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.” Then I said to
Hafsa, “Tell him, Abu i Bakr is a soft-hearted man and if he stands in his place, he would not be able
to make the people hear him. Would you order ‘Umar to lead the prayer?’ ” Hafsa did so. The Prophet
said, “Verily you are the companions of Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.” So
Abu- Bakr stood for the prayer. In the meantime Allah’s Apostle felt better and came out with the
help of two persons and both of his legs were dragging on the ground till he entered the mosque.
When Abu Bakr heard him coming, he tried to retreat but Allah’s Apostle beckoned him to carry on.
The Prophet sat on his left side. Abu Bakr was praying while standing and Allah’s Apostle was lead –
ing the prayer while sitting. Abu Bakr was following the Prophet and the people were following Abu
Bakr (in the prayer).
Volume 1, Book 11, Number 682:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Once Allah’s Apostle prayed two Rakat (instead of four) and finished his prayer. Dhu-l-yadain
asked him whether the prayer had been reduced or whether he had forgotten. Allah’s Apostle asked
the people whether Dhu-l-yadain was telling the truth. The people replied in the affirmative. Then
Allah’s Apostle stood up, offered the remaining two Rakat and then finished his prayer with Taslim
and then said, “Allahu Akbar.” He followed it with two prostrations like ordinary prostrations or a bit
longer.
Volume 1, Book 11, Number 668:
Narrated Mu’adh bin Jabal:
I used to pray the ‘Isha prayer with the Prophet and then go to lead my people in the prayer.
Volume 1, Book 11, Number 669:
Narrated ‘Amr:
Jabir bin ‘Abdullah said, “Mu’adh bin Jabal used to pray with the Prophet and then go to lead his
people in prayer Once he led the ‘Isha’ prayer and recited Surat “Al-Baqra.” Somebody left the prayer
and Mu’adh criticized him. The news reached the Prophet and he said to Mu’adh, ‘You are putting
the people to trial,’ and repeated it thrice (or said something similar) and ordered him to recite two
medium Suras of Mufassal.” (‘Amr said that he had forgotten the names of those Suras).
Volume 1, Book 11, Number 670:
Narrated Abu Mas’ud:
A man came and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! By Allah, I keep away from the morning prayer only be –
cause So and so prolongs the prayer when he leads us in it.” The narrator said, “I never saw Allah’s
Apostle more furious in giving advice than he was at that time. He then said, “Some of you make
people dislike good deeds (the prayer). So whoever among you leads the people in prayer should
shorten it because among them are the weak, the old and the needy.”
Volume 1, Book 11, Number 671:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “If anyone of you leads the people in the prayer, he should shorten it for
amongst them are the weak, the sick and the old; and if anyone among your prays alone then he may
prolong (the prayer) as much as he wishes. ”
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Volume 1, Book 11, Number 672:
Narrated Abu Mas’ud:
A man came and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I keep away from the morning prayer because so-and-so
(Imam) prolongs it too much.” Allah’s Apostle became furious and I had never seen him more furious
than he was on that day. The Prophet said, “O people! Some of you make others dislike the prayer, so
whoever becomes an Imam he should shorten the prayer, as behind him are the weak, the old and
the needy.”
Volume 1, Book 11, Number 663:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “If the Imam leads the prayer correctly then he and you will receive the re –
wards but if he makes a mistake (in the prayer) then you will receive the reward for the prayer and
the sin will be his.”