Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never abandoned two rak'ahs, whether in private or in front of people: two rak'ahs before the Fajr prayer and two rak'ahs after the Asr prayer.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said that (in the time of the Messenger), when the muezzin would call the adhan, the companions of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would rush towards the pillars. When the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would come out from his chamber, he would find the people praying in this manner. These were the two rak‘ahs before the Maghrib congregation, and (in Maghrib) there was not much interval between the adhan and the takbir.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Between every two calls to prayer (adhan and iqamah) there is a prayer, between every two calls to prayer there is a prayer." Then, the third time, he said: "If anyone wishes (to offer it)."

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) led a group in (fear) prayer, while another group stood facing the enemy. Then, after this group had completed their prayer and moved to take the place of their companions, the second group came and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led them in one rak'ah of prayer. After that, he concluded the prayer with them by saying salam. Then this group stood up and completed their remaining rak'ah, and the first group also stood up and completed their remaining rak'ah.

Sayyiduna Sahl bin Abi Hathmah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that (in the prayer of fear) the Imam will stand facing the Qiblah and a group of Muslims will join him in prayer, while another group of Muslims will stand facing the enemy. The Imam, facing them, will lead the group with him in one rak‘ah of prayer. (After completing one rak‘ah) this group will stand up and, without the Imam, perform one ruku‘ and two prostrations at the same place, then go and stand facing the enemy where the other group was already present. After that, the Imam will lead the second group in one rak‘ah of prayer, thus completing two rak‘ahs for the Imam, and this second group will perform one ruku‘ and two prostrations by themselves.

Salih bin Khawwat (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from a companion who participated in the battle of Dhat ar-Riqa’ with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed the prayer of fear. Its manner was as follows: first, one group prayed behind him while the other group (of Muslims) stood facing the enemy. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led the group standing behind him in one rak’ah of the prayer of fear, and then he remained standing while this group completed their prayer and then went back to face the enemy. After that, the second group came, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led them in the second rak’ah of the prayer which remained, and (after bowing and prostrating) he sat in the final sitting. Then, when these people completed their remaining prayer, he concluded the prayer with them by saying the salam.

Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that we were with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) at Dhat al-Riqa’. Then we came to a place where there was a tree with very dense shade. We reserved that tree for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so that he could rest there. Later, a man from among the polytheists came, and the sword of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was hanging from the tree. He drew that sword upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and asked,“Do you fear me?”The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied,“No.”Upon this, he asked,“Who will save you from me today?”The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied,“Allah.”Then the companions scolded and threatened him, and when the call for prayer was made, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led one group in two units of the prayer of fear. When that group moved away from behind the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he led the second group in two units of prayer as well. In this way, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed four units of prayer, but the followers performed only two units each.