رَوَى مَالِكٌ عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ رُومَانَ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ خَوَّاتٍ عَنْ مَنْ صَلَّى مَعَ النَّبِيِّ اللهِ يَوْمَ ذَاتِ الرِّقَاعِ صَلَاةَ الْخَوْفِ: أَنَّ طَائِفَةٌ وَصَفَتُ مَعَهُ، وَصَفَتْ طَائِفَةٌ وِجَاهَ الْعَدُوِّ فَصَلَّى بِالَّتِي مَعَهُ رَكْعَةً، ثُمَّ ثَبَتَ قَائِمًا وَأَتَمُّوا لِأَنفُسِهِمْ، ثُمَّ انْصَرَفُوا فَصَقُوا وِجَاهَ الْعَدُوِّ وَجَاتِ الطَّائِفَةُ الْأُخْرَى فَصَلَّى بِهِمُ الرَّكْعَةَ الَّتِي بَقِيَتْ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ، ثُمَّ نَبَتَ جَالِسًا وَأَتَمُوا لَّا نُفُسِهِمْ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ بِهِمُ .
Malik narrated from Yazid bin Roman, who narrated from Salih bin Khawwat, who narrated from the person who prayed the prayer of fear (Salat al-Khawf) with the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم in the Battle of Dhat al-Riqa’. One group formed a row with you, and one group lined up in front of the enemy. You led the prayer for the group that was with you, then you stood, and they completed the prayer on their own. Then they turned and lined up in front of the enemy, and the second group came. You led the remaining rak’ahs of the prayer for them, then you remained seated. They completed their prayer on their own, then you all together concluded the prayer with the salam. Agreed upon.
Verification and Authentication:
Bukhari 4129 Muslim 842
وَرَوَى شُعْبَةُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ مِنْ وَجُهِ آخَرَ عَنْ صَالِحٍ بْنِ خَوَّاتِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ أبِي حَثْمَةَ فَبَيَّنَ الْمُبْهَمَ فِي رِوَايَةِ مَالِكٍ.
Shu’bah narrated this hadith by another chain from Salih bin Khawwat bin Jubair, who narrated from Sahl bin Abi Hathmah, and he clarified the ambiguity found in Malik’s narration.
Verification and Authentication:
Muslim: 841
Benefits:
➊ In a state of fear, the manner of prayer changes; however, the recitation, obligatory acts, duties, and prescribed supplications remain the same.
➋ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed the prayer of fear in various ways; it was performed according to the situation. However, this hadith describes the method that the Quran has explained.
➌ The prayer of fear is permissible both while traveling and while stationary, meaning if there is danger while stationary, it can still be performed, and if there is danger from the enemy while traveling, it can also be performed. This is the position of the majority of scholars. Some say that travel is a condition for the prayer of fear, but this is not the preferred opinion.
➍ Allah Almighty loves His remembrance, but in a state of fear, the souls of those who remember Him are more beloved. It is more beloved to Allah that a person’s life remains safe. For this reason, Allah Almighty has taught not only His worship but also the method of protecting His servants.
➎ In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) made each group pray one rak’ah each; each group prayed one rak’ah themselves. The first group gave the salam themselves, and the second group gave salam with the Prophet (peace be upon him).
وَرَوَى الْبُخَارِيُّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ شُعَيْبٍ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ صَلَّى النَّبِيُّ لا يَعْنِي صَلَاةَ الْخَوْفِ؟ فَقَالَ: أَخْبَرَنِي سَالِمُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ
بْنِ عُمَرَ: أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ قَالَ: عَزَوْتُ مَعَ النبى سلام قِبَلَ نَحْدٍ، فَوَازَيْنَا الْعَدُوِّ فَصَا فَفَنَاهُمْ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ لا / يُصَلِّي لَنَا فَقَامَتْ طَائِفَةٌ مَعَهُ وَأَقْبَلَتْ طَائِفَةٌ عَلَى الْعَدُوِّ فَرَكَعَ رَسُولُ اللهِ عَلى بِمَنْ مَعَهُ وَسَجَدَ سَحْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفُوا مَكَانَ الطَّائِفَةِ الَّتِي لَمْ تُصَلُّ فَحَاوُوا فَرَكَعَ رَسُولُ الله عَلى بِهِمْ رَكْعَةً وَسَجَدَ سَحْدَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ بِهِمْ فَقَامَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ فَرَكَعَ لِنَفْسِهِ رَكْعَةٌ وَسَجَدَ سَحُدَتَيْنِ۔
Imam Bukhari narrated a hadith from Zuhri through Shu’ayb who said that he asked him if the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed the prayer of fear. He said that Salim bin Abdullah bin Umar told me that Abdullah bin Umar said: “I fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a battle towards Najd. We confronted the enemy and lined up in front of them. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood up and began to lead us in prayer. One group stood with him, and another group remained in front of the enemy. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) performed bowing and two prostrations with the group that was with him in prayer, then he turned and went to the place of the other group who had not prayed. Those people came, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prayed one rak’ah with them and made two prostrations, then gave salam with them. Each of them then stood and prayed one rak’ah on their own and made two prostrations.”
Verification and authentication:
Bukhari: 1942, Muslim: 839.
Benefits:
➊ Continuously inquiring about the daily routines of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a great deed that indicates love for the Prophet, as in this hadith where Imam Zahri, may Allah have mercy on him, is asked by his student about the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ prayer during fear.
➋ The battle in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ personally participated is called a Ghazwa.
➌ These forms of Salat al-Khawf (prayer of fear) apply when there is a congregation. Conversely, if a person is alone in the land of the disbelievers and there is a definite threat to life, the prayer can be performed by gestures without special arrangements, or if it is known that peace will be found after traveling a certain distance, then it should be delayed. In this way, one should avoid carrying the Mushaf into the territory of the disbelievers.
➍ In the case of a congregation, the Imam’s prayer will be two rak‘ahs, while the followers will pray one rak‘ah each consecutively with the congregation.
➎ During times of fear, it is legally correct to stand armed at the place of prayer and guard the worshippers; otherwise, in normal circumstances, carrying weapons openly while walking is considered impolite and is prohibited.
وَرَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ مِنْ حَدِيثِ نَافِعٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ بِلَفْظ آخَرَ وَفِي آخِرِهِ: قَالَ: وَقَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ: فَإِذَا كَانَ خَوْفٌ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَصَلَّ رَاكِبًا وَقَائِمًا تُؤْمِيءُ إِيْمَاء
Imam Muslim narrated the hadith reported by Nafi‘ from Abdullah ibn Umar in other words, at the end of which it is said that Abdullah ibn Umar said: “When the fear is greater, you may pray while mounted or pray standing with gestures.”
Verification and authentication:
Muslim: 839
وَرَوَى الْبُخَارِيُّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ نَحُوْا مِنْ قَوْلِ مُجَاهِدٍ: إِذَا اخْتَلَطُوا قِيَامًا وَزَادَ
ابْنُ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ عَلَ: وَإِنْ كَانُوا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذلِكَ فَلْيُصَلُّوا قِيَامًا وَزَادَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ عَنِ النبى ال: وَإِنْ كَانُوا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَلْيُصَلُّوا قِيَامًا وَرُكْبَانًا إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ وَغَيْرِ الْقِبْلَةِ وَهُذَا الَّذِي أَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ قَوْلِ مُجَاهِدٍ أَخْرَجَهُ الْبَيْهَقِيُّ بِلَفْظِ: إِذَا اخْتَلَطُوا فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ الْإِشَارَةُ بِالرَّأْسِ وَالتَّكْبِيرِ
Imam Bukhari narrated the hadith as stated by Ibn Jurayj, referring to Musa bin Uqbah, who narrated from Nafi, who narrated from Abdullah bin Umar. He said similarly to what Mujahid said that when they stand mixed together, and Abdullah bin Umar added this extra statement regarding the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “If they are more fearful and anxious, they should pray standing or riding, whether facing the Qiblah or not.” This is an indication towards Mujahid’s statement. Imam Bayhaqi has narrated in these words: “When they become mixed together, they should perform the prayer by gestures of the head and Takbir.”
Verification and Authentication:
Bukhari, 943 Bayhaqi: 255/3
Benefits:
➊ During intense fear, prayer can be performed while sitting, standing, or riding, using gestures.
➋ In this case, one should try to face the Qibla in the first position; if not possible, both facing towards and away from the Qibla are acceptable.
➌ The gesture will be made with the head along with saying Takbeer.
➍ This is a state of extreme fear and anxiety, but there is no command to abandon prayer; prayer is obligatory regardless of the condition.
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى لِسَان نَبِيِّكُم سلام فِي الْحَضَرِ أَرْبَعًا وَفِي السَّفَرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَفِي الْخَوْفِ رَكْعَةً
Narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) who said: “Allah Almighty has prescribed four Rak’ahs of prayer when present, two Rak’ahs when traveling, and one Rak’ah in fear through the words of your Prophet (PBUH).”
Verification and authentication:
Muslim: 287
Benefits:
➊ The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) spoke and acted according to the command of Allah Almighty. There is no command in the teachings of Islam that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) issued on his own will. There is evidence for this, one of which is this hadith that clearly indicates that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), by the command of Allah Almighty, made four rak’ahs obligatory in times of safety, two in travel, and one in fear.
➋ As peace diminishes, the Islamic rulings also tend to become lighter, such as four obligatory rak’ahs in peace, two in travel, and when the situation became more fearful, one rak’ah was made obligatory. Even in this, there is further allowance that if fear increases with each rak’ah of prayer, then individually, whether mounted or on foot, it will be performed by gestures of the head and takbir. If this condition also cannot be maintained, then the prayer can be performed as the mujahid (fighter) is allowed to do.
وَعَنْ عَطَاءٍ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: شَهِدُتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَاةَ الْخَوْفِ فَصَفَفْنَا صَفَيْنِ خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللهِ وَالْعَدُوبَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْقِبْلَةِ فَكَبَّرَ النبى سيم ، فَكَبَرْنَا جَمِيعًا، ثُمَّ رَكَعَ فَرَكَعْنَا جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرَّكُوعِ فَرَفَعْنَا جَمِيعًا، ثُمَّ انْحَدَرَ السُّجُودِ وَالصَّفُ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ وَقَامَ الصَّفُ الْمُؤَخِّرُ فِي نَحْرِ الْعَدُوِّ فَلَمَّا قَضَى النَّبِيُّ له السُّجُودَ وَقَامَ الصَّفُ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ الْحَدَرَ الصَّفُ الْمُؤَخِّرُ السُّجُودِ وَقَامُوا ثُمَّ تَقَدَّمُ الصَّفُ الْمَوْخِرُ، وَتَأَخَّرَ الصَّفُ الْمُقَدِّمُ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ النَّبِيُّ الهِ وَرَكَعْنَا جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَرَفَعْنَا جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ انْحَدَرَ بِالسُّجُودِ وَالصَّفُ الَّذِي يَلِيْهِ الَّذِي كَانَ مَؤَخِّرًا فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأولى، وَقَامَ الصَّفُ الْمُؤْخِّرُ فِي نَحْرِ الْعَدُوِّ فَلَمَّا قَضَى النَّبِيُّ السُّجُودَ وَالصَّقُ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ الْحَدَرَ الصَّفُ الْمُؤَخِّرُ بِالسُّجُودِ فَسَجَدُوا ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ النَّبِيُّ لَهِ وَسَلَّمْنَا جَمِيعًا قَالَ جَابِرٌ: كَمَا يَصْنَعُ حَرُسُكُمْ هَؤُلَاءِ بِأَمَرَائِهِمْ . أَخْرَجَهُمَا مُسْلِمٌ.
Ata narrated from Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: “I attended the prayer of fear with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). We formed two rows behind the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). The enemy was between us and the Qiblah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said Allahu Akbar, so we all said Allahu Akbar. Then he bowed, so we all bowed. When he raised his head from bowing, we all raised our heads. Then he and the row next to him went into prostration, and the back row stood facing the enemy. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) completed the prostration and the row next to him stood up, the back row went into prostration. Those people stood up after prostration, the back row moved forward, and the front row moved backward. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) bowed, and we all bowed. Then he raised his head from bowing, and we all raised our heads. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) went into prostration, and the row next to him also went into prostration. I was in the back row in the first rak’ah, and the back row stood facing the enemy. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the row next to him completed the prostration, the second row went into prostration. They prostrated, then the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave the salam, and we all gave the salam.” Jabir said, “Just as your guards keep watch over their commanders.” Muslim has narrated both.
Research and authentication:
Muslim: 840
Benefits:
➊ In this hadith, another method of Salat al-Khawf (prayer of fear) is presented. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed four rak’ahs, and the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, prayed two rak’ahs each, meaning two were obligatory for the Prophet ﷺ and two were voluntary. This proves that if the Imam is leading a voluntary prayer, obligatory prayers can be performed behind him, which is correct.
➋ Here it is mentioned that the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, prayed two rak’ahs each, whereas in the previous hadith it is stated that Salat al-Khawf is one rak’ah. This means that one rak’ah was with the Imam, and the other rak’ah was prayed by the Companions themselves, which became their two-rak’ah prayer. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars and the four Imams.
➌ Due to fear and insecurity, even today guards or watchmen are appointed in mosques and madrasas during prayer times, who belong to civil, private, or government sectors. Unfortunately, they only keep watch and do not pray. If anyone prays, it is usually after most of the prayer time has passed. This is because their main concern is guarding, i.e., fulfilling their duty, which is also a necessity and a means of livelihood. Otherwise, these departments do not particularly encourage them to develop the habit of praying. They avoid worship and do not know how to pray properly, which is a matter of concern. Similarly, it is necessary for the administrators to take care of their prayers and give them the opportunity to pray on time. Guards should consider every prayer as an obligation and avoid laziness and showing off.
