The prayer of fear in the expedition of Dhāt Ar-Riqā‘

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) led his Companions in a military expedition. Most of them were walking barefoot, and when their feet became sore from walking, they wrapped rags around them. No fighting took place but the Muslims scared away their enemies.

As this Hadīth indicates, the enemies were not in the direction of the prayer as they came from the east of Madīnah. Therefore, the Prophet divided Muslims into two groups: one group stood to pray with him while the other group stood facing the direction of the enemies at the back of the praying group.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed one Rak‘ah with the group that was with him then rose for the second Rak‘ah but remained standing while they completed the second Rak‘ah and made Taslīm. They then left to stand facing the direction of the enemies while the other group came and prayed with the Prophet the second Rak‘ah. He remained sitting in the second Rak‘ah while they rose to perform one more Rak‘ah thus completing their prayer, then he made Taslīm with them.

Thus, the first group said the opening Takbīr with the Prophet while the second group said the Taslīm with him. So both groups were even, as each had the merit of praying in congregation with the Imām. At the same time, they did not give the enemy a chance to attack them while they were engaged in prayer.