congregational prayer (1): namely, that it is recommended to make the first rakʿah longer than the second. The second group then joins the imam, and he leads them in the remaining rakʿah. He then sits for the tashahhud. Once he has sat for the tashahhud, this group rises directly from prostration and completes the rakʿah that remains for them, catching the imam during the tashahhud; he then concludes the prayer with them.

This manner conforms to the apparent meaning of the Quran. Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand in prayer with you, taking their weapons. Then, when they have prostrated, let them move behind you. Then let the other group, which has not yet prayed, come forward and pray with you, taking their precautions and their weapons.” [al-Nisaʾ: 102]

The words “when they have prostrated” mean: when they have completed the prayer. “Then let the other group”—that is, the group stationed before the enemy—“which has not yet prayed, come forward and pray with you, taking their precautions and their weapons.” Yet Allah, the Exalted, said to the second group, “taking their precautions and their weapons,” whereas regarding the first group He said, “taking their weapons.” Why is this?

The answer is that the second group is in greater danger, for the enemy may have prepared himself, having seen the army divide into two groups, and made ready to attack. Allah therefore commanded them to take both precautions and weapons.

This form of the Fear Prayer differs from the usual prayer in several respects, including:

First: the first group separates from the imam before he concludes with the salām.

Second: the second group makes up what it missed of the prayer before the imam concludes with the salām.