Sunan an-Nasa'i #1555
The Book of the Fear Prayer
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الصَّمَدِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَنْصُورٌ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي عَيَّاشٍ الزُّرَقِيِّ، قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِعُسْفَانَ فَصَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلاَةَ الظُّهْرِ وَعَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ فَقَالَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ لَقَدْ أَصَبْنَا مِنْهُمْ غِرَّةً وَلَقَدْ أَصَبْنَا مِنْهُمْ غَفْلَةً . فَنَزَلَتْ - يَعْنِي صَلاَةَ الْخَوْفِ - بَيْنَ الظُّهْرِ وَالْعَصْرِ فَصَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلاَةَ الْعَصْرِ فَفَرَّقَنَا فِرْقَتَيْنِ فِرْقَةً تُصَلِّي مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَفِرْقَةً يَحْرُسُونَهُ فَكَبَّرَ بِالَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُ وَالَّذِينَ يَحْرُسُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ فَرَكَعَ هَؤُلاَءِ وَأُولَئِكَ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ سَجَدَ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُ وَتَأَخَّرَ هَؤُلاَءِ وَالَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُ وَتَقَدَّمَ الآخَرُونَ فَسَجَدُوا ثُمَّ قَامَ فَرَكَعَ بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا الثَّانِيَةَ بِالَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُ وَبِالَّذِينَ يَحْرُسُونَهُ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ بِالَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُ ثُمَّ تَأَخَّرُوا فَقَامُوا فِي مَصَافِّ أَصْحَابِهِمْ وَتَقَدَّمَ الآخَرُونَ فَسَجَدُوا ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَكَانَتْ لِكُلِّهِمْ رَكْعَتَانِ رَكْعَتَانِ مَعَ إِمَامِهِمْ وَصَلَّى مَرَّةً بِأَرْضِ بَنِي سُلَيْمٍ .
"We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in 'Usfan and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led us in praying Zuhr. The idolaters were led that day by Khalid bin Al-Walid, and the idolaters said: 'We have caught them unawares.' Then the fear prayer was revealed between Zuhr and 'Asr. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led us in praying 'Asr and divided us into two groups, a group that prayed with the Prophet (ﷺ) and a group that guarded him. He said takbir with those who were closest to him and those who were guarding them, then he bowed and both groups bowed with him. Then those who were closest to him prostrated. Then they moved back and the others moved forward and prostrated. Then he stood and led them all in bowing, those who were closest to him and those who were guarding him. Then he led those who were closest to him in prostrating, then they moved back and took the place of their companions and the others came forward and prostrated. Then he said the taslim so each group had prayed two rak'ahs with their imam. And he offered the fear prayer once in the land of Banu Sulaym."
Narrated by It was narrated that Abu 'Ayyash Al-Zuraqi said:
Context
In this hadith, Abu 'Ayyash Al-Zuraqi recounts an event during a time of conflict when the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) led a prayer known as the fear prayer. The situation was tense as the Muslims were at risk of being attacked by idolaters led by Khalid bin Al-Walid. The Prophet (ﷺ) demonstrated a unique way of praying under duress, dividing the congregation into two groups: one that prayed with him and another that stood guard. This event highlights the importance of maintaining prayer even in challenging circumstances.
Modern Application
In today's world, the principle of adapting practices to fit circumstances is vital. For instance, during Eid prayers, large gatherings can be organized, but safety measures must be in place. This hadith teaches us to prioritize worship while being mindful of our surroundings and the safety of the community.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer because it illustrates the practice of the fear prayer, which is a method of maintaining worship during times of danger.
Related Ayahs
سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ
An-Nisaa (The Women)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
2 ayahs
وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا۟ فَلْيَكُونُوا۟ مِن وَرَآئِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا۟ فَلْيُصَلُّوا۟ مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ ۗ وَدَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُم مَّيْلَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًۭى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَن تَضَعُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ ۖ وَخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًۭا مُّهِينًۭا
And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ إِذَا فَرِيقٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ يَخْشَوْنَ ٱلنَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةًۭ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيْنَا ٱلْقِتَالَ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ قَرِيبٍۢ ۗ قُلْ مَتَٰعُ ٱلدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌۭ وَٱلْءَاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌۭ لِّمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا
Have you not seen those who were told, "Restrain your hands [from fighting] and establish prayer and give zakah"? But then when fighting was ordained for them, at once a party of them feared men as they fear Allah or with [even] greater fear. They said, "Our Lord, why have You decreed upon us fighting? If only You had postponed [it for] us for a short time." Say, The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah. And injustice will not be done to you, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed]."
سُورَةُ الجِنِّ
Al-Jinn (The Jinn)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَأَنَّهُۥ لَمَّا قَامَ عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ يَدْعُوهُ كَادُوا۟ يَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِ لِبَدًۭا
And that when the Servant of Allah stood up supplicating Him, they almost became about him a compacted mass."
سُورَةُ يُونُسَ
Yunus (Jonas)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ
Those who believed and were fearing Allah
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Al-Baqara (The Cow)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًۭا ۖ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمْ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْلَمُونَ
And if you fear [an enemy, then pray] on foot or riding. But when you are secure, then remember Allah [in prayer], as He has taught you that which you did not [previously] know.
Common Words
139 total116 unique18 repeated
ٱلله4x
لم3x
ٱلذين3x
أو3x
لهم2x
ٱلصلوة2x
طائفة2x
منهم2x
معك2x
وليأخذوا2x
فإذا2x
من2x
أسلحتكم2x
عليكم2x
ولا2x
إن2x
إلى2x
ٱلقتال2x
وإذا1x
كنت1x
Related Hadiths
About Sunan an-Nasa'i
This hadith is #1555 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of the Fear Prayer. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that Abu 'Ayyash Al-Zuraqi said:.