Mukhmal bin Dimas says: I participated in a battle with Saeed bin Aas. He asked the people: Has any of you performed the prayer of fear (Salat al-Khawf) with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him? Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I have performed it. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, led one group in one rak’ah while the other group stood facing the enemy. These people (after performing one rak’ah) went and stood in the place of their companions facing the enemy. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, then led them in one rak’ah and then concluded the prayer with salam. Thus, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, performed two rak’ahs and each group performed one each.

Salih bin Khawwat narrates from a companion who performed the prayer of fear with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) on the day of Dhat al-Riqa’. He narrated that one group formed a row with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), while the other group remained facing the enemy. Those who were with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he led them in one rak’ah, then he stood for such a duration that those people completed the second rak’ah by themselves, then they left and stood facing the enemy. The other group came and they performed the remaining rak’ah with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), then he sat for such a duration that these people completed their second rak’ah (and sat in tashahhud), then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) gave salam. Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) says: Of all the forms of the prayer of fear that I have heard, this method is the most preferable to me.

Sayyiduna Sahl bin Abi Hathmah رضي الله عنه narrates attributing to the Noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: The Imam will stand for prayer, and one row will stand behind him and one row will stand in front of him (i.e., facing the enemy). The Imam will lead those behind him in one rak‘ah including two prostrations, then he will remain standing until these people complete the second rak‘ah by themselves. In one narration it is stated: Then the Imam will sit in his place until they complete the second rak‘ah and two prostrations and go to the place of their companions, and they (the others) come and stand (behind the Imam) in the place of the first ones. Then he will lead them in one rak‘ah including two prostrations, and then he will sit until they complete the second rak‘ah by themselves, then the Imam will say salam upon them.