Nasai

1531. Commentary:

➊ The legitimacy of the prayer of fear (salat al-khawf) is established from the Noble Qur’an; in fact, it is the only prayer whose method is also described, albeit in a general way, in the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) performed this prayer at various places. However, among the Hanafis, Imam Abu Yusuf rahimahullah, and among the Shafi‘is, Imam Muzani rahimahullah, do not consider it permissible after the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to perform it in the ways mentioned in the Qur’an or hadith. Their view is that the prayer of fear was specific to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), because everyone desired to pray behind him. Due to war and fear, it was necessary that all could not pray together. It is not correct to lead or perform the same prayer twice, so this method was adopted out of necessity so that everyone could pray behind you. After the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), there is no one whose leadership in prayer holds such special merit, nor does everyone desire to pray behind a single person. In the Noble Qur’an, the address regarding the prayer of fear is specifically directed to you: (wa idha kunta feehim fa aqamta lahumu as-salah) (an-Nisa 4:102) “When you are among them, then lead them in prayer.” Therefore, now if there is a situation of fear, two groups should be formed and each group should be led in prayer by their own separate imam. This reasoning is quite logical, but the practice of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) does not conform to it. It is established from many Companions (radi Allahu anhum) that they performed the prayer of fear in its specific forms even after the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Therefore, according to the majority of scholars, this prayer is still legislated. And this is the correct view. And Allah knows best.

➋ In the hadiths, six or seven methods of the prayer of fear are transmitted, because there can be different situations of fear, so it is not possible to perform the prayer in the same way everywhere, as will be clarified in the following hadiths. All these hadiths are authentic. Depending on the circumstances, any of these methods can be adopted. Those who have tried to specify a single method have engaged in unnecessary rigidity. According to the situation, all the hadiths can be acted upon. And Allah knows best.

➌ The two hadiths mentioned above describe the same incident. Among the specific forms of the prayer of fear, this is also one form, i.e., in extreme fear, even one rak‘ah can be performed. See also hadith: 1533.