389 – Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I witnessed the fear prayer with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. We formed two ranks: one rank stood directly behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, while the enemy positioned themselves between us and the qiblah. The Prophet ﷺ pronounced the opening takbir and we all pronounced it; he then bowed and we all bowed; when he raised his head from bowing, we all raised ours. He next went down to prostrate along with the rank closest to him, while the rear rank remained standing, facing the enemy. When he completed the prostration, the rank that had been with him stood up …” and he narrated the remainder of the report.

In another wording: “Then he prostrated, and the first rank prostrated with him. When they rose, the second rank prostrated. The first rank then withdrew to the rear, and the second rank advanced …” and he related the same description.

At the end of the narration it states: “Then the Prophet ﷺ concluded with the salām, and we all concluded with the salām together.” Recorded by Muslim (1).

Abu Dawud likewise transmitted it from Abu ʿAyyash al-Zuraqi with the same content, adding: “It took place at ʿUsfān.” (2)

Vocabulary:
• ʿUsfān: Its location has already been identified. The expedition of ʿUsfān occurred in the year 6 AH. The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions were in a state of iḥrām for the ʿumrah of al-Hudaybiyah when they encountered Khalid ibn al-Walid leading two hundred horsemen of the idolaters at ʿUsfān, yet they failed to attack the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions during the prayer