Sahih al-Bukhari 3385
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 60: Prophets · The Statement of Allah Taa'la: "Verily, in Yusuf and his brethren there were Ayat..."
Narrated Abu Musa:
حَدَّثَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْبَصْرِيُّ ، حَدَّثَنَا زَائِدَةُ ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ بْنِ أَبِي مُوسَى ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ، قَالَ مَرِضَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " مُرُوا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَلْيُصَلِّ بِالنَّاسِ ". فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ رَجُلٌ. فَقَالَ مِثْلَهُ فَقَالَتْ مِثْلَهُ. فَقَالَ " مُرُوهُ فَإِنَّكُنَّ صَوَاحِبُ يُوسُفَ ". فَأَمَّ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي حَيَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. فَقَالَ حُسَيْنٌ عَنْ زَائِدَةَ رَجُلٌ رَقِيقٌ .
When the Prophet (ﷺ) fell ill, he said, "Order Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." `Aisha said, "Abu Bakr is a soft-hearted person. The Prophet (ﷺ) gave the same order again and she again gave the same reply. He again said, "Order Abu Bakr (to lead the prayer)! You are (like) the female companions of Joseph." Consequently Abu Bakr led the people in prayer in the life-time of the Prophet.