126. Worshipping in battlefields.

This verse (4:102) of the Quran speaks of worshipping during battles at the battlefield. We find different opinions expressed regarding worship at battlefields in the hadiths. There are some hadiths that say the comrades of Prophet Muhammad followed the way he did. 

There are also those that speak of the comrades offering one rakat, while the prophet did two.

The messenger of Allah used to lead the worship for a group of warriors, while the other guarded the battle front. Later they took turns in completing their worship. This way the prophet was heading the worship when the groups alternated with each other in following him during worship.

Narrator: Ibn Umar (RA)

 Hadith Book: Bukhari 4133 

Comrades of Prophet Muhammad divided themselves into two groups, one standing guard at the forefront in the battlefield, and the other joining the worship with the prophet leading. As soon as one rakat of the worship got over, those who participated left the venue and alternated with the ones who were at guard in the forefront, they came to the worship venue and took part where the prophet was leading the worship in units of two rakats for each congregation, but the participants leaving at the end of one rakat. This is the account of battlefield worship from this hadith. It is recorded in the hadith book Nasaye and in various others, only Prophet Muhammad worshipped two rakats leading one group of warriors in the first, while joined by a different group in the second as the first group left. In the hadith book Nasaye we find as recorded, that while the first group performed the worship with the prophet at the lead, the second followed suit, and did not compensate the rakat they missed (i.e.) the first rakat.

Of the various narrations regarding worship in battlefields, only the one that coincides saying one rakat is duty bound needs to be taken as authentic.

 The Almighty has made four rakats mandatory while at hometown, two during travel, and one on the battlefield.

Narrator: Ibn Abbas (RA) 

Hadith Book: Muslim 

When there exists a mandate, about one rakat to be worshipped in battlefields, the narration (that announces two rakats to be completed as a unit of worship as unnecessary) needs to be taken as authentic and stays confirmed. 

This verse also stresses the same message. While in battlefield, and in situations where there is fear of being attacked any time by the enemies the person who leads the worship performs two rakats and people who follow divide themselves into two groups, where one group stands guard, and the other performs worship one rakat and leaves while the other joins in the second rakat of the same unit, with the imam extending and continuing the worship. It can be understood from here that the number of rakats of worship on the battlefield is one rakat.

 And it should not be construed as the Iman is generally required to perform two rakats, because this verse states ‘When you are along with them leading the worship,’ according to a special status to Prophet Muhammad.

Since a group would regret if they do not partake in the congregational worship led by Prophet Muhammad, the Almighty had commanded thus. From here the message conveyed to us is, at the time of congregational worship in the battlefield, the one leading the worship should complete one rakat, and the next leader for the worship be chosen from among the next group for the next rakat. The privilege of leading both the rakats in such a worship remains the sole prerogative of Prophet Muhammad being accorded by the Almighty.