It is narrated from the person who performed the prayer with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, during the expedition of Dhat al-Riqa’ in a state of fear, that some people stood in prayer with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, while some remained facing the enemy. First, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed one rak’ah with those people, then he remained standing while those people completed their prayer and left. Then those who were facing the enemy came, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed one rak’ah with them. Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, remained seated while those people completed another rak’ah, and when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said the salam with them.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Sahl bin Abi Hathmah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The prayer of fear (Salat al-Khawf) is in this manner: the Imam stands for prayer with some people, while some people remain facing the enemy. The Imam prays one rak'ah and performs sajdah. When he stands up from sajdah, the Imam remains standing, and the followers complete their remaining rak'ah, then say salam and go to face the enemy. Those who were facing the enemy then come and join the Imam by saying the opening takbir. When the Imam completes ruku' and sajdah, he says salam, and the people stand up to complete one rak'ah and then say salam.

It is narrated from Nafi‘ that when Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) was asked about the prayer of fear (Salat al-Khawf), he would say: The imam should step forward to lead the prayer, and some people should be behind him, while some people should face the enemy. When those who are behind the imam have completed one rak‘ah with him, they should go to face the enemy and should not say salam (to end the prayer), and those who have not yet started the prayer should come and perform one rak‘ah behind the imam. Then the imam should say salam, and each group should come in turn and complete one more rak‘ah, so that each group completes two rak‘ahs. And if the fear is very severe, then those on foot should pray standing and by gesture, and those mounted should pray on their mounts, even if their faces are not towards the qiblah.

Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Nafi‘ said that Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) must have heard this hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

It is narrated from Sa'id bin al-Musayyib that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not perform the Zuhr and Asr prayers during the Battle of the Trench until the sun had set.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: In my view, the narration of Qasim bin Muhammad from Salih bin Khawwat regarding Salat al-Khawf is good, and it is the hadith of Sayyiduna Sahl bin Abi Hathmah, may Allah be pleased with him, which has been mentioned above.