Hazrat Abu Zubair says that Hazrat Jabir was asked about the prayer of fear, so he replied, "In the manner that your leaders perform it today."

Hazrat Abu Ayash Zarqi narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was engaged in battle with the enemy at Usfan. At that time, the leadership of the polytheists was with Hazrat Khalid bin Walid. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led his companions in the Zuhr prayer, so the polytheists said that after this, they have another prayer which is more beloved to them than their wealth and children. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was informed of their intention, he divided the people behind him into two rows. Thus, when he bowed (in ruku‘), all the people bowed with him. When the people raised their heads from ruku‘, the row closest to him performed prostration (sajdah) while the other row remained standing. When the first row raised their heads from prostration, then, because they had already bowed with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), now they performed prostration. Then the front row moved to the back and the back row came forward so that they could bow with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Then the back row moved back and the front row came forward, and each stood in the place of the other. When they finished their prostration, the second group performed prostration. Then the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said salam to everyone.

Hazrat Sahl bin Abi Hathmah, regarding the prayer of fear (Salat al-Khawf), says that the Imam will stand facing the Qiblah and a group will pray with him, while the other group will stand facing the enemy. He will lead this group in one rak'ah. When he stands for the second rak'ah, he will remain standing until the group behind him completes their one rak'ah, performs sajdah, and says salam. Then these people will go towards the enemy, and the group already present with the enemy will come and stand behind the Imam. The Imam will lead them in one rak'ah and then say salam. After that, these people themselves will perform ruku', sajdah, and say salam.

Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair says: How can there be shortening (qasr) of one rak'ah in the prayer of fear? These are two rak'ahs!

Hazrat Masruq narrates that in the prayer of fear, the Imam will stand and the people will form two rows behind him. Then the Imam will perform ruku and the people in the row behind him will also perform ruku. Then the Imam will perform sajdah and the people in the row with him will also perform sajdah. Then when the Imam stands for the second rak'ah, the people of this row will move back and the second group will come and stand in their place. The Imam will perform ruku and sajdah with them. The other people will remain standing, then they will stand and make up one rak'ah each, thus in the congregation the Imam will have two rak'ahs and the people will have one rak'ah each, then they will make up the second rak'ah.

It is narrated similarly through another chain.

Hazrat Abu Masood Ansari Uqbah bin Amr narrates that during the blessed era of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was once a solar eclipse. People said that the sun was eclipsed because of the death of the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) son, Ibrahim. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that the sun and the moon are not eclipsed because of anyone’s life or death. These are signs of Allah; when you see them eclipsed, then perform prayer.

Hazrat Nu’man bin Bashir narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the eclipse prayer just like your (regular) prayer; he also performed bowing (ruku’) and prostration (sajdah) in it.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr narrates that once during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the sun was eclipsed. You and we stood up, and you said: O people! The sun and the moon are among the signs of Allah. When either of them is eclipsed, proceed towards the mosques.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the eclipse prayer with eight bowings (ruku) and four prostrations (sajdah).