Sahih al-Bukhari 1181 (Book 21, Hadith 22)
Apostle and so he went to them along with some of his companions to affect a reconciliation. Allah’s
Apostle was delayed there and the time for the prayer became due. Bilal came to Abu Bakr! and said,
“O Abu Bakr! Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) is detained (there) and the time for the prayer is due. Will you lead the
people in prayer?” Abu Bakr replied, “Yes, if you wish.” So Bilal pronounced the Iqama and Abu
Bakr went forward and the people said Takbir. In the meantime, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) came piercing
through the rows till he stood in the (first) row and the people started clapping. Abu Bakr, would
never look hither and thither during the prayer but when the people clapped much he looked back and
saw Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) beckoned him to carry on. Abu Bakr raised both his hands, praised
Allah and retreated till he stood in the row and Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went forward and led the people in the
prayer. When he had finished the prayer, he addressed the people and said, “O people! Why did you
start clapping when something happened to you in the prayer? Clapping is for women. Whenever one
is confronted with something unusual in the prayer one should say, ‘Sub Han Allah’.” Then the
Prophet looked towards Abu Bakr and asked, “What prevented you from leading the prayer when I
beckoned you to carry on?” Abu Bakr replied, “It does not befit the son of Al Quhafa to lead the
prayer in the presence of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).
Sahih al-Bukhari 1181 (Book 21, Hadith 22)
The above hadith is from the Sahih al-Buhari collection of hadiths. The compilation known as Sahih al-Bukhari is a paramount collection of the Sunnah and hadith of the Prophet Muhammad. Its creator, Muḥammad ibn Ismā‘īl al-Bukhārī, dedicated his life to this work, completing it around 847. It holds a position of immense respect as arguably the most authentic book in Sunni Islam after the Holy Quran. As a key pillar of the six canonical books (Kutub al-Sittah), its detailed 97-chapter structure houses an estimated 7,563 narrations that continue to shape Islamic theology, law, and ethics to this day.
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For more Hadith in Book 21: Actions while Praying