5/151. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1258 — How to Pray in Fear
What was narrated concerning the fear Prayer
Fear Prayer Hadith: Two Groups, One Imam, and Guarding
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1258
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1258
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الصَّبَّاحِ، أَنْبَأَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فِي صَلاَةِ الْخَوْفِ " أَنْ يَكُونَ الإِمَامُ يُصَلِّي بِطَائِفَةٍ مَعَهُ فَيَسْجُدُونَ سَجْدَةً وَاحِدَةً وَتَكُونُ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ الْعَدُوِّ ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ الَّذِينَ سَجَدُوا السَّجْدَةَ مَعَ أَمِيرِهِمْ ثُمَّ يَكُونُونَ مَكَانَ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا وَيَتَقَدَّمُ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا فَيُصَلُّوا مَعَ أَمِيرِهِمْ سَجْدَةً وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ أَمِيرُهُمْ وَقَدْ صَلَّى صَلاَتَهُ وَيُصَلِّي كُلُّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنَ الطَّائِفَتَيْنِ بِصَلاَتِهِ سَجْدَةً لِنَفْسِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ خَوْفٌ أَشَدَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَرِجَالاً أَوْ رُكْبَانًا " . قَالَ يَعْنِي بِالسَّجْدَةِ الرَّكْعَةَ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said concerning the fear prayer: “The Imam should lead one group in prayer, and they should perform one prostration, and there should be another group between them and the enemy (guarding them). Then those who did the prostration with their leader should move away, and take the place of those who have not yet prayed.Then those who have not yet prayed should come forward and perform one prostration with their leader. Then their leader should move away, and his prayer will be complete. Then each group should perform one prostration by itself. If the fear is too great, then (they should pray) on foot or riding.’” He said: What is meant by prostration here is a Rak’ah.
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1258In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 456English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1258
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1258
This Hadith explains a form of Salat al-Khawf, the fear prayer. Ibn Umar narrated that the Imam leads one group while another group stands between them and the enemy. The first group prays one Rak’ah with the leader, then changes places with the group that has not prayed. The second group then prays one Rak’ah with the leader. After the leader finishes, each group completes one Rak’ah by itself. The report also says that if fear is greater, they may pray on foot or riding. People searching for fear prayer hadith or how to pray Salat al-Khawf will find the steps clearly laid out here.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Hadith describes two groups taking turns in prayer and guarding.
- The Imam’s prayer is completed while each group completes what remains.
- If fear is greater, the report allows praying on foot or riding.
