The Prayer of Fear, Pursuit, Encounter, and Competition

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 1|Book 1|Chapter 63

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh

Book 1, Chapter 63

The Prayer of Fear, Pursuit, Encounter, and Competition
16 hadiths · 4 commentaries
Hadith 1

رَوَى عَبْدُ اَلرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَنِ اَلصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «صَلَّى اَلنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ بِأَصْحَابِهِ فِي غَزَاةِ ذَاتِ اَلرِّقَاعِ، فَفَرَّقَ أَصْحَابَهُ فِرْقَتَيْنِ فَأَقَامَ فِرْقَةً بِإِزَاءِ اَلْعَدُوِّ وَ فِرْقَةً خَلْفَهُ فَكَبَّرَ وَ كَبَّرُوا فَقَرَأَ فَأَنْصَتُوا فَرَكَعَ وَ رَكَعُوا فَسَجَدَ وَ سَجَدُوا ثُمَّ اِسْتَمَرَّ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ قَائِماً فَصَلَّوْا لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ ثُمَّ خَرَجُوا إِلَى أَصْحَابِهِمْ فَقَامُوا بِإِزَاءِ اَلْعَدُوِّ وَ جَاءَ أَصْحَابُهُمْ فَقَامُوا خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ كَبَّرَ فَكَبَّرُوا وَ قَرَأَ فَأَنْصَتُوا وَ رَكَعَ فَرَكَعُوا وَ سَجَدَ فَسَجَدُوا ثُمَّ جَلَسَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ فَتَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَامُوا ثُمَّ قَضَوْا لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ رَكْعَةً، ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ.

Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Abdullah reported from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) that He said: "The Prophet (saws) 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 (saws) 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 (saws). 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 (saws) 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."

Commentary 1

وقد قال الله تعالى لنبيه صلى الله عليه وآله: " وإذا كنت فيهم فأقمت لهم الصلاة فلتقم طائفة منهم معك وليأخذوا أسلحتهم فإذا سجدوا فليكونوا من ورائكم ولتأت طائفة أخرى لم يصلوا فليصلوا معك وليأخذوا حذرهم وأسلحتهم ود الذين كفروا لو تغفلون عن أسلحتكم وأمتعتكم فيميلون عليكم ميلة واحدة ولا جناح عليكم إن كان بكم أذى من مطر أو كنتم مرضى أو تضعوا أسلحتكم وخذوا حذركم إن الله أعد للكافرين عذابا مهينا * فإذا قضيتم الصلاة فاذكروا الله قياما وقعودا وعلى جنوبكم فإذا اطمأننتم فأقيموا الصلاة إن الصلاة كانت على المؤمنين كتابا موقوتا " فهذه صلاة الخوف التي أمر الله عز وجل بها نبيه صلى الله عليه وآله.

Allah (swt) Almighty revealed to His Prophet (saws) : "When you ˹O’ Prophet˺ are ˹campaigning˺ with them and you lead them in prayer, let one group of them pray with you - while armed. When they prostrate themselves, let the other group stand guard behind them. Then the group that has not yet prayed will then join you in prayer - and let them be vigilant and armed. The disbelievers would wish to see you neglect your weapons and belongings, so they could launch a sweeping assault on you. But there is no blame if you lay aside your weapons when overcome by heavy rain or illness - but take precaution. Indeed, Allah (swt) has prepared a humiliating punishment for the disbelievers. When the prayers are over, remember Allah (swt) - whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down. But when you are secure, establish regular prayers. Indeed, performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times." (Surah An-Nisa 4:102-103). This is the prayer of fear that Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, commanded His Prophet (saws) to perform.

Hadith 2

وَ قَالَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى اَلْمَغْرِبَ فِي خَوْفٍ بِالْقَوْمِ صَلَّى بِالطَّائِفَةِ اَلْأُولَى رَكْعَةً وَ بِالطَّائِفَةِ اَلثَّانِيَةِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ.

Imam (a.s) 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."

Commentary 2

ومن تعرض له سبع وخاف فوت الصلاة استقبل القبلة وصلى صلاته بالايماء فإن خشي السبع وتعرض له فليدر معه كيف دار وليصل بالايماء.

And if someone encounters a wild animal and fears missing the prayer, he should face the Qiblah and perform his prayer using gestures. If the wild animal approaches and poses a threat, he should move with it as it moves and continue his prayer using gestures.

Hadith 3

وَ سَأَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ أَخَاهُ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَلْقَاهُ اَلسَّبُعُ وَ قَدْ حَضَرَتِ اَلصَّلاَةُ فَلَمْ يَسْتَطِعِ اَلْمَشْيَ مَخَافَةَ اَلسَّبُعِ قَالَ «يَسْتَقْبِلُ اَلْأَسَدَ وَ يُصَلِّي وَ يُومِئُ بِرَأْسِهِ إِيمَاءً وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ اَلْأَسَدُ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ.

Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (a.s) 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 (a.s) 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 4

وَ سَأَلَ سَمَاعَةُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَلْقَاهُ اَلسَّبُعُ وَ قَدْ حَضَرَتِ اَلصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ يَسْتَطِيعُ اَلْمَشْيَ مَخَافَةَ اَلْأَسَدِ قَالَ «يَسْتَقْبِلُ اَلْأَسَدَ وَ يُصَلِّي وَ يُومِئُ بِرَأْسِهِ إِيمَاءً وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ اَلْأَسَدُ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ.

Sama'a ibn Mehran asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) 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 (a.s) 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 5

وَ سَأَلَ سَمَاعَةُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَأْخُذُهُ اَلْمُشْرِكُونَ فَتَحْضُرُهُ اَلصَّلاَةُ فَيَخَافُ مِنْهُمْ أَنْ يَمْنَعُوهُ قَالَ «يُومِئُ إِيمَاءً.

Sama'a ibn Mehran asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) 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 (a.s) said: "He should pray by gesturing."

Hadith 6

وَ رَوَى زُرَارَةُ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لَهُ صَلاَةُ اَلْخَوْفِ وَ صَلاَةُ اَلسَّفَرِ تُقْصَرَانِ جَمِيعاً قَالَ «نَعَمْ وَ صَلاَةُ اَلْخَوْفِ أَحَقُّ أَنْ تُقْصَرَ مِنْ صَلاَةِ اَلسَّفَرِ لِأَنَّ فِيهَا خَوْفاً.

Zurarah narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s): I asked him about the prayer of fear and the prayer of travel—are both to be shortened? Imam (a.s) said: "Yes, and the prayer of fear is more deserving of being shortened than the prayer of travel because it involves fear”.

Hadith 7

وَ سَمِعْتُ شَيْخَنَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ اَلْحَسَنِ رَضِيَ اَللَّهُ عَنْهُ يَقُولُ: رُوِّيتُ أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ: «وَ إِذٰا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي اَلْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنٰاحٌ أَنْ تَقْصُرُوا مِنَ اَلصَّلاٰةِ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَنْ يَفْتِنَكُمُ اَلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا » فَقَالَ «هَذَا تَقْصِيرُ ثَانٍ وَ هُوَ أَنْ يَرُدَّ اَلرَّجُلُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ إِلَى رَكْعَةٍ.

I heard our teacher, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, say: It was narrated that Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) was asked about the words of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic: "And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, if you fear that those who disbelieve may harm you" (Surah An-Nisa 4:101). Imam (a.s) said: "This refers to a second form of shortening, where a man reduces two rak'ahs to one."

Commentary 3

وقد رواه حريز عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام.

This was narrated by Hariz from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s).

Hadith 8

وَ رَوَى عَبْدُ اَلرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَنِ اَلصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: فِي صَلاَةِ اَلزَّحْفِ قَالَ «تُكَبِّرُ وَ تُهَلِّلُ يَقُولُ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ: «فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجٰالاً أَوْ رُكْبٰاناً ».

Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Abdullah reported from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) regarding the prayer during advancing troops (battle or combat). Imam (a.s) said: "You say the takbir (proclaiming 'Allahu Akbar') and tahleel (proclaiming 'La ilaha illa Allah (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)”.

Hadith 9

وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَقُولُ: «إِنْ كُنْتَ فِي أَرْضٍ مَخُوفَةٍ فَخَشِيتَ لِصّاً أَوْ سَبُعاً فَصَلِّ اَلْفَرِيضَةَ وَ أَنْتَ عَلَى دَابَّتِكَ.

It was narrated from Abu Basir that He said: I heard Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) 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."

Hadith 10

وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: «اَلَّذِي يَخَافُ اَللُّصُوصَ يُصَلِّي إِيمَاءً عَلَى دَابَّتِهِ.

In the narration from Zurarah from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s) who said: "One who fears robbers should perform their prayer by gesturing while on their mount”.

Hadith 11

وَ قَدْ رُخِّصَ فِي صَلاَةِ اَلْخَوْفِ مِنَ اَلسَّبُعِ إِذَا خَشِيَهُ اَلرَّجُلُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَنْ يُكَبِّرَ وَ لاَ يُومِئَ رَوَاهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَحَدِهِمَا عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ.

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 (a.s).

Hadith 12

وَ رَوَى زُرَارَةُ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «اَلَّذِي يَخَافُ اَللُّصُوصَ وَ اَلسَّبُعَ يُصَلِّي صَلاَةَ اَلْمُوَاقَفَةِ إِيمَاءً عَلَى دَابَّتِهِ» قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنِ اَلْمُوَاقِفُ عَلَى وُضُوءٍ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ وَ لاَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى اَلنُّزُولِ قَالَ «يَتَيَمَّمُ مِنْ لِبْدِ دَابَّتِهِ أَوْ سَرْجِهِ أَوْ مَعْرَفَةِ دَابَّتِهِ فَإِنَّ فِيهَا غُبَاراً وَ يُصَلِّي وَ يَجْعَلُ اَلسُّجُودَ أَخْفَضَ مِنَ اَلرُّكُوعِ وَ لاَ يَدُورُ إِلَى اَلْقِبْلَةِ وَ لَكِنْ أَيْنَمَا دَارَتْ دَابَّتُهُ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ يَسْتَقْبِلُ اَلْقِبْلَةَ بِأَوَّلِ تَكْبِيرَةٍ حِينَ يَتَوَجَّهُ.

Zurarah narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (a.s) that He said: "One who fears robbers or a wild beast should perform the prayer of a stopped traveler using gestures while on their mount." I (Zurarah) asked: "What if the person does not have wudu (ablution) and cannot dismount? What should they do?" Imam (a.s) 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."

Hadith 13

وَ رَوَى عُبَيْدُ اَللَّهِ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ اَلْحَلَبِيُّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: «صَلاَةُ اَلزَّحْفِ عَلَى اَلظَّهْرِ إِيمَاءٌ بِرَأْسِكَ وَ تَكْبِيرٌ وَ اَلْمُسَايَفَةِ تَكْبِيرٌ بِغَيْرِ إِيمَاءٍ وَ اَلْمُطَارَدَةِ إِيمَاءٌ يُصَلِّي كُلُّ رَجُلٍ عَلَى حِيَالِهِ.

Ubaydullah ibn Ali Al-Halabi reported from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) who said: "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 14

وَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «فَاتَ اَلنَّاسَ مَعَ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَوْمَ صِفِّينَ صَلاَةُ اَلظُّهْرِ وَ اَلْعَصْرِ وَ اَلْمَغْرِبِ وَ اَلْعِشَاءِ فَأَمَرَهُمْ فَكَبَّرُوا وَ هَلَّلُوا وَ سَبَّحُوا رِجَالاً وَ رُكْبَاناً.

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

Hadith 15

وَ فِي كِتَابِ عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ بْنِ اَلْمُغِيرَةِ أَنَّ اَلصَّادِقَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: «أَقَلُّ مَا يُجْزِي فِي حَدِّ اَلْمُسَايَفَةِ مِنَ اَلتَّكْبِيرِ تَكْبِيرَتَانِ لِكُلِّ صَلاَةٍ إِلاَّ اَلْمَغْرِبَ فَإِنَّ لَهَا ثَلاَثاً مِنَ اَلتَّكْبِيرِ.

In the book of Abdullah ibn al-Mughira, it is reported that Al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "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 16

وَ سَأَلَهُ سَمَاعَةُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ: عَنْ صَلاَةِ اَلْقِتَالِ فَقَالَ «إِذَا اِلْتَقَوْا فَاقْتَتَلُوا فَإِنَّمَا اَلصَّلاَةُ حِينَئِذٍ تَكْبِيرٌ وَ إِذَا كَانُوا وُقُوفاً لاَ يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى اَلْجَمَاعَةِ فَالصَّلاَةُ إِيمَاءٌ.

Sama’a ibn Mehran asked him (Abu Abdullah (a.s)) about the prayer during battle. Imam (a.s) 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."

Commentary 4

والعريان يصلي قاعدا ويضع يده على عورته، وإن كانت امرأة وضعت يدها على فرجها، ثم يؤميان إيماء ويكون سجودهما أخفض من ركوعهما، ولا يركعان ولا يسجدان فيبدو ما خلفهما ولكن إيماء برؤوسهما. وإن كانوا جماعة صلوا وحدانا. وفي الماء والطين تكون الصلاة بالايماء والركوع أخفض من السجود.

Regarding one who is unclothed, they should pray while seated and cover their private parts with their hands. If it is a woman, She should cover herself in a similar manner. They should perform gestures for the movements of the prayer, making their prostration lower than their bowing, and they should not bow or prostrate fully to avoid exposing themselves, instead using gestures with their heads. If they are a group, they should pray individually. When praying in water or mud, the prayer is performed using gestures, with the bowing made less deep than the prostration.