Chapter on the Fear Prayer
Introduction
Fear is the opposite of safety, and the fear prayer possesses particular forms and circumstances that are not permitted in times of security. Its configurations, circumstances, and descriptions differ according to how near or far the enemy is, the intensity or lightness of the fear, and the direction from which the threat comes.
According to the sounder opinion, fear does not change the number of rakʿahs in the prayer.
The underlying wisdom—Allah knows best—for legislating it rests on two considerations:
- Facilitating ease for this community.
- Preserving the performance of the prayer within its appointed time.
The fear prayer is established by the Qur’an and the Sunnah and is upheld by the majority of jurists.
As for the Book, the Exalted says: “And when you are among them and lead them in prayer…” (al-Nisaʾ 4:102).
As for the Sunnah, it is proven that the Prophet ﷺ performed the fear prayer in four locations: Batn Nakhlah, ʿUsfān, Dhi Qarad, and Dhat al-Riqāʿ. The exact sites will be identified in the commentary on the hadiths, Allah willing.
The jurists agree on two points:
- It is permissible for the combatants to offer it behind two imams, each contingent led by its own imam.
- If the fear becomes extreme and congregational prayer is impossible, they may perform it individually, in