what is reported: “The enemy were in the direction of the qiblah. When they saw the Muslims praying the noon prayer, they plotted to attack them during the afternoon prayer. Allah then revealed the verse to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). For the afternoon prayer, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arranged his Companions in two rows behind him. He pronounced the opening takbīr with them all, then bowed with them all. He then prostrated twice with the half nearest him, while the second row remained standing, guarding them against the enemy. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had finished prostrating and stood up, the second row prostrated. They then moved forward into the first row’s position, while the first row moved back into the second row’s position. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then bowed with them all, and prostrated twice with the row nearest him, while the second row guarded them against the enemy. When he had finished prostrating, the rear row prostrated. They then sat and recited the tashahhud with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who concluded the prayer with the salām together with them all. When the polytheists saw them, they said, ‘They have certainly been informed of what we intended.’”

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Those who accepted the report that prayer was prescribed as four rak‘ahs both when resident and during travel, and the report that the shortening for which Allah absolved His servants of blame in the verse mentioned above means, in circumstances of fear, reducing the prayer from four rak‘ahs to two, reducing its length, or relaxing its prescribed forms, as we have explained—and who did not consider it established that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) shortened the prayer in the absence of fear—did not permit travellers to shorten the prayer when safe. A number of scholars held this view. It has also been said that this was the position underlying ‘Ā’ishah’s practice of praying in full during travel—may Allah Most High be pleased with her. It is reported that she said while travelling, “Offer your prayers in full.” They said, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray two rak‘ahs during travel.” She replied, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was at war and had reason to fear. Do you fear anything?”

As for those who accepted [the report] that prayer was prescribed as two rak‘ahs both when resident and during travel, after which the traveller’s prayer was left unchanged while the resident’s prayer was increased, or that prayer was prescribed as four rak‘ahs when resident and two during travel, and considered it established that the prayer had been shortened