How to Pray When Swords Are Drawn (During Battle

Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair and Hazrat Abu Al-Bakhtari say that when swords are clashing and people are killing each other, and the time for prayer arrives, then you should say: Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar. This is your prayer; then do not repeat the prayer.

Hazrat Mujahid and Hazrat Hakam state that when horsemen are engaged with each other and swords are clashing, then at the time of prayer, it is sufficient for a person to say the takbeer. If he says even one takbeer facing any direction, it is sufficient for him.

Ibrahim says regarding the command of Allah, the Exalted: "If you fear, then (pray) while riding or walking." When the time for prayer comes during battle, then face whichever direction you wish and perform the prayer by gestures. And make your prostration more bent than your bowing.

Hazrat Jabir bin Ghurab narrates that we were fighting in an army with Haram bin Hayan when Haram said that everyone should prostrate under his shield.

Hassan was asked: If the time for prayer comes during combat, how should the prayer be performed? He replied: One should pray one rak'ah facing whichever direction one is, and perform two prostrations.

Hazrat Sha’bah says that I asked Hazrat Hakam and Hazrat Hammad about prayer during combat, so they said: perform one rak’ah by gesture, facing whichever direction you are facing.

Ibrahim says that when swords are clashing, then face whichever direction you are facing and pray one rak'ah.

Hazrat Mujahid says that when one does not have the strength to perform many prayers during battle, then one takbeer alone is sufficient.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin used to say that when swords are clashing, then wherever you are facing, perform the prayer facing that direction.

Hazrat Dahhak says that at the time of fighting there are two Takbirs.

Hasan says that the prayer at the time of fighting is one rak‘ah.

Hazrat Raja bin Haywah says that Thabit bin Simt or Simt bin Thabit was in a battle when the time for prayer arrived. The people performed the prayer while mounted. Hazrat Ashtar dismounted and asked, "What did they do?" He was informed that they had dismounted and performed the prayer. Ashtar said, "Why did they oppose that which they were opposed for?"