In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger ﷺ.
The different forms of the fear prayer:
In this section Imam al-Shafi’i deals with the different forms of the fear prayer reported in the Prophetic Sunnah, how to deal with this difference, and his method of preferring among them. He explains that this difference is a difference of variety, not of contradiction; that all the forms are valid; and that the imam chooses from them whatever best suits the situation.
The main points Imam al-Shafi’i addressed in this section:
- Some of the forms of the fear prayer: Imam al-Shafi’i mentions some of the forms of the fear prayer reported in the Sunnah:
- The hadith of Dhat al-Riqa’: The Prophet ﷺ prayed one unit with one group; they then left and stood facing the enemy, and the other group came and he prayed with them the unit that remained for him. He then remained sitting while they completed their prayer by themselves, and then he concluded the prayer with them with the taslim.
- The hadith of Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet ﷺ prayed one unit with one group; it then left and stood between him and the enemy, and the group that had not prayed with him came, and he prayed with them the unit that remained of his prayer and concluded with the taslim. Then they left and made up what they had missed.
- The hadith of Abu ‘Ayyash al-Zuraqi and Jabir: The Prophet ﷺ prayed with the people all together; then he bowed and they bowed together; then one group prostrated while another group stood guard, and when he rose from prostration, those who had been guarding prostrated and then rose to join his prayer.
- The question of why he chose the form of Dhat al-Riqa’: Imam al-Shafi’i is asked why he chose the form of the fear prayer at the Battle of Dhat al-Riqa’ rather than the others.
- Al-Shafi’i’s answer and his method of preference: Imam al-Shafi’i answers that the form of Dhat al-Riqa’ is the most suitable for the situation at the Battle of Dhat al-Riqa’, where the enemy was few and far away, and it was most likely that they were safe from an attack. He explains that this form is the most prudent in terms of vigilance, since the group that is praying is guarded by another group that is outside the prayer and so fully free for guard duty, and this is the most equitable between the two groups. He explains that the other forms involve more movement, and in some of them each of the two groups makes up a unit on its own, which may lead to delaying the prayer.
- The difference is one of variety, not contradiction: Imam al-Shafi’i affirms that the difference in the forms of the fear prayer is a difference of variety, not of contradiction; that is, all the forms are permissible and valid, and the imam chooses from them whatever best suits the situation. He explains that these forms differ according to differing circumstances, the conditions of the battle, and the state of the enemy.
- Refuting those who hold that both groups must make up the prayer: Imam al-Shafi’i explains the error of those who hold that both groups must make up the prayer in some of the forms, and affirms that they complete the prayer and owe no make-up.
- Conclusion and final preference: Imam al-Shafi’i affirms that all the forms of the fear prayer are valid, and that the imam chooses whichever he sees as most fitting according to the situation described. He explains that if the enemy attacks during the prayer, they fight facing the qiblah or not, and pray on foot, riding, or standing as the situation requires, and they do not repeat the prayer.
Additional clarifications:
- The importance of the Sunnah in legislation (reaffirmed): Imam al-Shafi’i explains the importance of the Prophetic Sunnah in Islamic legislation: it is the second source after the Noble Qur’an, and it clarifies, details, qualifies, and specifies the Qur’an.
- Kinds of clarification (reaffirmed): Imam al-Shafi’i points out that clarification comes in multiple ways, such as qualification, specification, detailing, and explanation.
- The difference between transmission by chain, by mass transmission, by widespread report, and by consensus (reaffirmed): Imam al-Shafi’i explains that the religion is transmitted from the Messenger ﷺ in multiple ways, such as transmission by chain of narration, mass transmission, widespread report, and consensus.
- Analogy in the Shariah (reaffirmed): Imam al-Shafi’i points to analogy as one of the sources of legislation, explaining that it is used to derive rulings from the legal texts.
- The difference between a difference of variety and a difference of contradiction (clarification): A difference of variety is a difference in manner or form while the basis is the same, such as the differing forms of the fear prayer, where the basis is performing the prayer in a state of fear, but the manner differs according to circumstances. A difference of contradiction is a difference in the basis itself, such that the two statements or actions cannot be reconciled, such as one view declaring something permissible and another declaring it prohibited.
Summary:
In this section Imam al-Shafi’i explains how to deal with the differing forms of the fear prayer reported in the Sunnah: this difference is one of variety, not contradiction; all the forms are valid; and the imam chooses from them whatever best suits the situation. He affirms the importance of understanding the Prophetic Sunnah and acting upon it, and that it clarifies, details, qualifies, and specifies the Qur’an.
All parts of Summary of the Explanation of al-Shafi'i's al-Risala by Dr. Yasir Burhami