Juz 5: An-Nisāʾ 24–147
Section 9 of 16 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Regulations for Prayer During Travel and War
The flexibility of Islamic law is beautifully demonstrated in the provisions Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala has made for prayer during circumstances of travel and fear. These provisions highlight Islam's practicality and Allah's mercy in accommodating human needs while maintaining the obligation of prayer.
Beginning with verse 101, Allah addresses the concession of shortening prayers during travel:
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَن يَفْتِنَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ كَانُوا۟ لَكُمْ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا
“When you travel on the earth, there is no sin on you in shortening your Salāh, if you fear that the disbelievers would put you in trouble. Surely, the disbelievers are an open enemy for you.”
This verse establishes the permissibility of shortening the prayer (qasr) while traveling. Though the verse mentions fear of enemy as a condition, Islamic scholarship understands this as a description of the circumstance when the ruling was revealed, not as a prerequisite for implementation. The concession of shortening prayers applies to travelers regardless of whether they fear an enemy or not.
Allah then details in verse 102 how prayer should be performed in the extraordinary circumstance of battle:
وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا۟ فَلْيَكُونُوا۟ مِن وَرَآئِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا۟ فَلْيُصَلُّوا۟ مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ ۗ
“When you (O prophet) are among them, and arrange for them the Salāh, then, a group from them should stand with you, and should take their arms along. Then, once they perform Sajdah, they should move away from you, and the other group, that has not yet performed Salāh, should come and perform Salāh with you, and should take their precautionary measures and their arms.”
This remarkable provision for Salat al-Khawf (Prayer of Fear) demonstrates how even in the most challenging circumstances of warfare, Allah does not waive the obligation of prayer but instead provides a method to fulfill it while maintaining military vigilance. The procedure involves dividing the army into two groups – one praying while the other stands guard, then alternating so that all can complete their prayers while maintaining battlefield security.
The wisdom behind this arrangement is profound. First, it emphasizes the absolute importance of prayer, showing that no circumstance — not even the imminence of enemy attack — nullifies a believer’s connection with Allah. If prayer were something secondary, it would have been suspended entirely in battle. Instead, Allah restructures the formation of the army itself around Salah. Warfare must pause and rearrange itself for prayer — not the other way around.
Second, it teaches discipline and preparedness. Even while praying, the believers are instructed to carry their weapons and remain alert. Spiritual devotion does not mean negligence. Tawakkul (reliance upon Allah) is not passivity; it is reliance combined with vigilance. The believer stands before Allah with humility, yet remains aware of the realities of the world.
Third, this prayer strengthens morale. When soldiers pray in congregation under the leadership of the Prophet ﷺ, even in danger, it reminds them that their ultimate reliance is not upon numbers or strategy but upon Allah. Fear is transformed into trust. Anxiety becomes submission. The battlefield itself becomes a place of worship.
Thus, Salat al-Khawf is not merely a legal concession; it is a powerful declaration that faith governs every sphere of life — even moments of crisis. Prayer is not something to be fitted into life; rather, life is organised around prayer.