4/21. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 419d — Final Glance
If The Imam Experiences An Excuse, From Illness, Or Travelling, Etc. He May Appoint Someone Else To Lead The People In Prayer; The One Who Offers Prayer Behind The Imam Sitting Because He Is Unable To Stand Must Stand If He Is Able To Do So; And The Abrogation Of Sitting Behind A Sitting Imam For Those Who Are Able To Stand
Hadith About the Prophet Lifting the Curtain and Abu Bakr Leading
Sahih Muslim : 419d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 419d
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَهَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يُحَدِّثُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ إِلَيْنَا نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثًا فَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَذَهَبَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَتَقَدَّمُ فَقَالَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالْحِجَابِ فَرَفَعَهُ فَلَمَّا وَضَحَ لَنَا وَجْهُ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا نَظَرْنَا مَنْظَرًا قَطُّ كَانَ أَعْجَبَ إِلَيْنَا مِنْ وَجْهِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ وَضَحَ لَنَا - قَالَ - فَأَوْمَأَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِيَدِهِ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ أَنْ يَتَقَدَّمَ وَأَرْخَى نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْحِجَابَ فَلَمْ نَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى مَاتَ .
Anas Narrated from:
The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) did not come to us for three days. When the prayer was about to start. Abu Bakr stepped forward (to lead the prayer), and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) lifted the curtain. When the face of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) became visible to us, we (found) that no sight was more endearing to us than the face of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as it appeared to us. The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) with the gesture of his hand directed Abu Bakr to step forward (and lead the prayer). The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) then drew the curtain, and we could not see him till he died.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 419dIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 109USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 843
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 419d
This Hadith about the Prophet lifting the curtain gives a tender scene from Anas. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had not come out to them for three days. When prayer was about to begin, Abu Bakr stepped forward to lead. Then the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم lifted the curtain. When his face became visible, Anas says they had not seen any sight more pleasing to them than the Prophet’s face at that moment. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gestured to Abu Bakr to step forward and lead the prayer. Then he drew the curtain. The report ends by saying they could not see him again until he died.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Bakr stepped forward to lead when prayer was about to start.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم lifted the curtain after not coming out for three days.
- The companions were deeply pleased to see his face.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gestured for Abu Bakr to lead and then drew the curtain.
