Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates regarding the Salat al-Khawf (prayer of fear) from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stood up, one group stood behind him, and another group stood behind them. Those who were standing directly behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) were standing, while the other group was sitting. All their faces were towards the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He said the takbir, and both groups said the takbir. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ruku‘, and the group behind him also performed ruku‘, while the others remained seated. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed sajdah, so those people performed sajdah, and the others remained seated. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood up, those people also stood up, and they moved back to the place where their companions were sitting. Then the second group came, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led them in one ruku‘ and two sajdahs, and the others remained seated. Then when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said salam, both groups stood up and each performed one rak‘ah individually. (Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) There is no contradiction or difference in these narrations; rather, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the Salat al-Khawf in different ways on different occasions, as we have mentioned. The intention of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was to teach his ummah the methods of Salat al-Khawf, because it is permissible for them to perform the prayer according to any of these nine methods, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the prayer in times of fear. That is, whichever method is suitable according to the situation, it is permissible for a person to perform the prayer in times of fear according to any of these methods that we have mentioned. These belong to the category of permissible differences; there is no contradiction or difference in these narrations.