Badal ibn al-Muḥabbar narrated to us; Shu’bah informed us; from Sa’d ibn Ibrāhīm, who said: I heard ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr,

from ‘Ā’ishah (may Allāh be content with her): That the Prophet ﷺ said to her: “Tell Abū Bakr to lead the people in prayer.” She said: “Indeed, he is a soft-hearted man. When he stands in your place, he will become overwhelmed (and unable to continue).” He repeated the instruction, and she repeated her response.

Shu’bah said: Then on the third or fourth time he said: “You are like the women who surrounded Yūsuf (upon whom be peace). Tell Abū Bakr to lead the people in prayer."