2 – The manner of this prayer is that the imam divides the people into two groups: one keeps watch facing the enemy, while the other prays with him. He leads the first group in one rakʿah and two prostrations; they then move off toward the enemy to stand guard, without completing their prayer.
Then the second group approaches; the imam leads them in one rakʿah and two prostrations, after which he recites the tashahhud and ends with the salām by himself, for his prayer is now complete. That group then returns to its guard position without giving salām. Next the first group comes back to its original spot and, to reduce unnecessary walking, completes its prayer there on its own. After that, the second group returns and completes its own prayer, because they had not joined the imam at the very beginning of the prayer.
3 – This format involves many movements and does not allow perfect following of the imam, so the first method is better. The Ḥanafīs have adopted this procedure.
4 – The fear prayer does not affect whether the prayer is performed in full or shortened: if they are resident they pray it in full, and if they are traveling they shorten it. What changes with intense fear is that some conditions and pillars of the prayer may be waived, and there may be much movement—advancing, retreating, going and returning.
5 – In this second form the prayer itself is shortened: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, led each group in only one rakʿah; each group then completed one rakʿah on its own, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed two rakʿahs in total.