Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
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Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has presented various narrations regarding the Prayer of Fear (Salat al-Khawf).
The purpose of this is to clarify the differences concerning Salat al-Khawf, specifically regarding where it was first performed.
It is agreed upon that during the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwah al-Khandaq), the ruling of Salat al-Khawf had not yet been given.
This is why the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, due to the preoccupations of battle, missed the Middle Prayer, i.e., the Asr prayer, even though there is a special command in the Noble Qur’an regarding its protection.
During the Battle of the Trench, there was even an occasion when the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam performed the Dhuhr, Asr, and Maghrib prayers at the time of Isha.
The scholars of Seerah have stated that the ruling of Salat al-Khawf was given during the Battle of Dhat al-Riqa’.
Some have mentioned it was during the Battle of Usfan, and others hold that it was at the time of the Battle of Dhi Qarad.
The only way to reconcile these various narrations is not to restrict the matter with the condition of “first occurrence.”
It should simply be said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam performed the Prayer of Fear during the Battle of Dhat al-Riqa’, the Battle of Dhi Qarad, the Battle of Usfan, and so on.
And Allah knows best.

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The Bedouins of Arabia who camped in the deserts of Najd and repeatedly engaged in raids and plundering—since these people were not residents of any town or city, nor did they dwell in houses or fortresses—it was very difficult to gain complete control over them and to put an end to their mischief and corruption, unlike the people of Makkah and the inhabitants of Khaybar.
For them, only intimidating disciplinary actions could be effective.
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam received information that the tribe of Anmar or two branches of Banu Ghatafan, namely Banu Tha’labah and Banu Muharib, were gathering against the Muslims.
Upon hearing this news, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam immediately set out with his noble Companions radi Allahu anhum towards the lands of Najd, and after reaching the place of Nakhl, two days’ distance from Madinah, he encountered a group from Banu Ghatafan, but no battle took place.
However, there was certainly a threat, and it was on this occasion that the Prayer of Fear was performed.
The disciplinary expedition that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam undertook to establish awe and authority over these Bedouins and to disperse them is called the Expedition of Dhat al-Riqa’.
And Allah knows best.