I went to 'Aishah and said: Will you not tell me about the illness of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)? She said: Yes, the Messenger of Allah became very ill. He asked: Have the people prayed? We replied: No, they are waiting for you, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Put water for me in the tub. We did so. He bathed and then he tried to heave himself up, but he fainted. Then he regained consciousness and asked: Have the people prayed? We replied: No, they are waiting for you, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Put water for me in the tub. We did so. He bathed and then he tried to heave himself up, but he fainted. Then he regained consciousness and asked: Have the people prayed? We replied: No, they are waiting for you, O Messenger of Allah. She commented: People were sitting in the mosque waiting for the Messenger of Allah for the 'Isha' prayer. So the Messenger of Allah sent to Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer. Abu Bakr was a tender-hearted man. He said: O 'Umar, lead the people in prayer. 'Umar replied: You are more deserving of that. So Abu Bakr led them in prayer during those days. Then the Messenger of Allah felt some relief and came out, supported by two men, one of whom was Al-'Abbas, for Zthuhr prayer. When Abu Bakr saw him, he began to move back, but the Messenger of Allah signaled to him not to retreat and instructed them to seat him next to him. So, Abu Bakr prayed standing, while the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prayed sitting. I went to Ibn 'Abbas and said: Shall I not tell you what 'Aishah told me about the illness of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). He said: Go ahead. So I told him and he did not deny anything about it except that he asked: Did she mention to you the man who was with Al-'Abbas? I said: No. He said: It was Ali.