Sayyiduna Abu Ayyash Zurqi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that at the place of Usfan, we were with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) facing the polytheists. Their commander was Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (may Allah be pleased with him), who had not yet embraced Islam. They were positioned between us and the Qiblah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the Zuhr prayer. The polytheists said: "They (the Muslims) were in such a state that we could have taken advantage of their heedlessness." Then they said: "Another prayer is about to come upon them, which is dearer to them than their lives and their sons." Jibreel (peace be upon him) descended with this verse between the Zuhr and Asr prayers: «فَإِذَا كُنْتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ» (When you are among them and lead them in prayer... etc.). The narrator says: When the time for prayer came, by the order of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), they picked up their weapons. Then we formed two rows behind him. He bowed (in ruku‘), and we all bowed. When he rose from ruku‘, we also rose. Then those in the first row performed prostration (sajdah) with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), while those in the second row stood guarding them. When the first row finished their prostration and stood up, the second row sat in their place and performed prostration. Then the rear row came forward and the front row moved back. Then all of us bowed (in ruku‘) with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and rose from ruku‘. Then those in the first row performed prostration with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), while those in the second row stood guarding them. When the first row finished their prostration and sat, the second row also performed prostration. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said the salam and left. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the prayer (of fear) in this manner twice: once at Usfan and once in the region of Banu Sulaym. ‘Ata and Abu Zubair (may Allah be pleased with them both) have also narrated this prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him).

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) led one group in one rak’ah of the prayer of fear, while the other group was facing the enemy. Then the first group went and stood facing the enemy in place of their companions, and they (the second group) came (for prayer). So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led them in one rak’ah as well, then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said salam, and both groups completed one rak’ah each (on their own).

When Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) was asked about the prayer of fear (Salat al-Khawf), he would say: A group of people should advance with the Imam and the Imam should lead them in one rak’ah of prayer, while the other group does not pray but stands between them and the enemy. When those who were with the Imam have completed one rak’ah, they should go to the place of those who have not prayed, without saying salam, and those who have not prayed should come forward and perform one rak’ah with the Imam. Then, when the Imam has completed two rak’ahs, he should say salam. Both groups should then stand and each complete one rak’ah on their own, so that both groups will have performed two rak’ahs each. If the fear becomes very intense, then they should pray standing or riding, whether facing the qiblah or any other direction. Nafi’ (may Allah have mercy on him) says: Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated this method from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).

Salih bin Khawwat (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from the man who offered the prayer of fear with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) on the day of the battle of Dhat al-Riqa’ that one group joined the row with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and another group stood facing the enemy. The Prophet (peace be upon him) led his companions in one rak’ah and then stood straight, so they completed the second rak’ah separately. They then stood in the row facing the enemy, and the other group came. The Prophet (peace be upon him) led them in the remaining rak’ah and then sat straight until they completed the second rak’ah themselves, then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said the salam.

Sayyiduna Sahl bin Huthmah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates regarding the prayer of fear (Salat al-Khawf) that one group will stand in front of the Imam and one group will stand behind the Imam. Then the Imam will lead those behind him in one bowing (ruku) and two prostrations (sujood) (i.e., one rak’ah), and he will remain seated in his place until they complete another bowing and two prostrations (i.e., perform the second rak’ah). Then these will go to the place of their companions and those will come to their place. The Imam will lead them in one bowing and two prostrations, and he will remain seated in his place until they complete another bowing and two prostrations. Then he will say the salam (to end the prayer).

This narration is also reported through this chain.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said regarding this noble verse: If you face hardship due to rain or you are ill (then combine the prayers). At that time, Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) was injured.