Islam > Hadiths > Jurisprudence and juristic principles > The prayer of fear in Jābir's report
Authentic hadithUpdated on 24 September 2026 at 12:34 AM
📖 2 min readعن جابر بن عبد الله الأنصاري رضي الله عنهما قال: «شَهِدْتُ مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صلاة الخوف فَصَفَفْنَا صَفَّيْنِ خلف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم والعدو بيننا وبين القبلة، وكَبَّرَ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وكَبَّرنا جميعا، ثم ركع ورَكَعْنا جميعا، ثم رفع رأسه من الركوع ورفعنا جميعا، ثم انحدر بالسجود والصف الذي يليه، وقام الصَّفُّ الْمُؤَخَّرُ في نَحْرِ الْعَدُوِّ، فلما قضى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم السجود، وقام الصفّ الذي يليه انْحَدَرَ الصَّفُّ الْمُؤَخَّرُ بالسجود، وقاموا، تَقَدَّمَ الصَّفُّ الْمُؤَخَّرُ، وَتَأَخَّرَ الصَّفُّ الْمُقَدَّمُ، ثم ركع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وركعنا جميعا، ثم رفع رأسه من الركوع ورفعنا جميعا، ثم انحدر بالسجود، والصفّ الذي يليه -الذي كان مُؤَخَّرا في الركعة الأولى- فقام الصَّفُّ الْمُؤَخَّرُ فِي نَحْرِ الْعَدُوِّ، فلما قضى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم السجود والصف الذي يليه: انْحَدَرَ الصَّفُّ الْمُؤَخَّرُ بالسجود، فسجدوا ثم سلَّم صلى الله عليه وسلم وسَلَّمْنا جميعا، قال جابر: كما يصنع حَرَسُكُمْ هؤلاء بأُمرائهم».
وذكر البخاري طرفا منه: «وأنه صلى صلاة الخوف مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في الغزوة السابعة، غزوة ذات الرِّقَاعِ».
This Hadīth describes a form of the prayer of fear, i.e. when the enemy is in the direction of the Qiblah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) divided the army into two groups: one in the front row and another in the back row. Then he lead them in the prayer, starting with Takbīr, then all recited, bowed, and rose from bowing. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the row behind him, prostrated. Rising for the second Rak‘ah, the back row which was guarding them from the enemy, prostrated. When they rose, the front row went back and the back row stepped forward, so that both rows were even in what they had performed, and the first row did not stand in its place for the entire prayer. What was done in the first Rak‘ah was repeated in the second Rak‘ah. All made Tashahhud and ended the prayer following the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). This way of performing the prayer of fear was suitable for the state of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions at that time. They were able to see their enemy, who was in the direction of Qiblah, while standing and bowing in prayer. Also, in this position, they were safe from a rear attack.
Categories : Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship · Prayer · Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles · Prayer of Fear