an intervening circumstance to arise requiring brevity, he should then shorten the prayer, for this is part of the sunnah. As for what is constant and ongoing, we adhere to the sunnah in it.

Making the First Rakʿah Longer than the Second

His statement, “making the first rakʿah longer than the second,” means that it is also recommended to make the first rakʿah longer than the second, because this is the sunnah. As stated in the hadith of Abu Qatadah—may Allah be pleased with him—the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—“would make the first rakʿah longer than the second” (1).

Not only is this the sunnah, but it also accords with human nature, since when a person first enters the prayer, he is more energetic. It is therefore appropriate for the first rakʿah to be longer than the second. It also takes into consideration the congregant who enters after the commencement of the prayer.

However, the scholars have made two exceptions:

The first issue is where the difference is slight. There is no harm in this, such as with Surah al-Aʿla and Surah al-Ghashiyah on Friday and on the two Eid prayers. Surah al-Ghashiyah is longer, but only slightly so.

The second issue is the second manner of performing the prayer in times of fear.

The prayer in times of fear has been reported from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in various forms, according to what the circumstances require (2). One of the reported forms is that the imam divides the army into two groups: one group remains facing the enemy, while the other joins the imam in prayer. When he rises for the second rakʿah, those praying with him separate from him and complete their prayer while the imam is standing. They then depart to the position of the group that had remained facing the enemy, and the other group comes and joins the imam while the imam is standing,