The Prayer of Fear, Pursuit, Encounter, and Competition

Hadith.1334 - Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Abdullah reported from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that He said: "The Prophet (sw) prayed with his companions during the Battle of Dhat al-Riqa'. He divided his companions into two groups: one group faced the enemy, while the other stood behind him (for prayer). He commenced the prayer with them by saying the takbir, and they all said the takbir. He recited, and they listened silently. He bowed, and they bowed. He prostrated, and they prostrated. Then the Messenger of Allah (sw) remained standing while they prayed an additional rak'ah for themselves and then exchanged positions. The first group took their place facing the enemy, and the other group came and stood behind the Messenger of Allah (sw). He then repeated the takbir, and they followed. He recited, and they listened silently. He bowed, and they bowed. He prostrated, and they prostrated. Then the Messenger of Allah (sw) sat for the tashahhud and offered the salutation (ending the prayer). Afterward, this group completed another rak'ah for themselves, and then they exchanged greetings with one another."

Hadith.1335 - Imam (as) said : "Whoever prays the Maghrib prayer during a situation of fear with a group, he prays one rak'ah with the first group and two rak'ahs with the second group."

Hadith.1336 - Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) about a man who encounters a wild beast, and the time for prayer has arrived, but he is unable to walk due to fear of the beast. Imam (as) said: "He should face the lion, perform the prayer, and gesture with his head while standing, even if the lion is not in the direction of the Qibla."

Hadith.1337 - Sama'a ibn Mehran asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who encounters a wild beast, and the time for prayer has arrived, but he cannot walk due to fear of the lion. Imam (as) said: "He should face the lion and perform the prayer, gesturing with his head while standing, even if the lion is not in the direction of the Qibla."

Hadith.1338 - Sama'a ibn Mehran asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who is captured by polytheists, and the time for prayer arrives, but he fears that they will prevent him from praying. Imam (as) said: "He should pray by gesturing."

I asked him about the prayer of fear and the prayer of travel—are both to be shortened? Imam (as) said: "Yes, and the prayer of fear is more deserving of being shortened than the prayer of travel because it involves fear”.

"This refers to a second form of shortening, where a man reduces two rak'ahs to one."

"You say the takbir (proclaiming 'Allahu Akbar') and tahleel (proclaiming 'La ilaha illAllah (swt)'). Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, says: 'But if you fear [an enemy], then [pray] on foot or while riding' (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:239)”.

I heard Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) say, "If you are in a place of danger and fear a thief or a wild beast, then perform the obligatory prayer while riding your mount."

"One who fears robbers should perform their prayer by gesturing while on their mount”.

Hadith.1344 - t has been permitted, in the case of the prayer of fear from a wild beast when a person fears for their life, to simply say the takbir (proclaiming "Allahu Akbar") without making gestures. This was narrated by Muhammad ibn Muslim from one of the Imams (as).

What if the person does not have wudu (ablution) and cannot dismount? What should they do?" Imam (as) said: "They should perform tayammum (dry ablution) using the saddlecloth, saddle, or the cover of their mount, as it contains dust, and then pray, making the gesture for prostration lower than that of bowing. They do not need to turn to face the Qiblah; rather, they should face the Qiblah for the initial takbir (opening declaration) and then continue as the mount moves."

"The prayer during advancing combat (al-zahf) is performed on one's back with gestures of the head and the takbir (proclamation of 'Allahu Akbar'). During close fighting (al-musayafa), it involves takbir without gestures. During pursuit (al-mutarada), it is performed with gestures, and each person prays individually as per their situation."

Hadith.1347 - Imam (as) said: "The people missed the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers with Ali (as) on the day of Siffin. He instructed them to make the takbir (saying 'Allahu Akbar'), tahleel (saying 'La ilaha illAllah (swt)'), and tasbih (glorifying Allah (swt)) while standing and while mounted."

"The minimum that suffices for the prayer during close combat (al-musayafa) is two takbirs (proclamations of 'Allahu Akbar') for each prayer, except for the Maghrib prayer, for which there are three takbirs."

Hadith.1349 - Sama’a ibn Mehran asked him (Abu Abdullah (as)) about the prayer during battle. Imam (as) said: "When they meet and engage in fighting, the prayer at that time is performed with takbir (proclamation of 'Allahu Akbar'). If they are standing and unable to form a congregation, then the prayer is performed with gestures."