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Qur'an 4:102

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Qur'an 4:102
Verse's Information
Name 
Suraal-Nisa'
Verse102
Juz'5
Content Information
Cause of
Revelation		 
Place of
Revelation		 
Topic 
AboutSalat al-Khawf
Others 
Related Verses 


Verse 102 of Sura al-Nisa' (Arabic: آیة 102 من سورة النساء) (Qur'an 4:102) explains the ruling of Salat al-Khawf (Prayer of Fear), which is performed in congregation on the battlefield while facing the enemy. During one of the Ghazwas, the Prophet Muhammad (s) stood for prayer with his troops before the battle commenced. The enemy saw this as a perfect opportunity to attack and planned to strike during the next prayer. For the subsequent prayer, Gabriel descended and revealed verse 102 of Sura al-Nisa' to the Prophet (s). Following the divine instruction, the Prophet (s) divided his troops into two groups: one group performed the prayer while the other stood guard.

According to this verse, the Imam of the congregation in Salat al-Khawf performs only a two-unit prayer. The first group performs the first rak'a with the Imam and then finishes the second rak'a individually. Then the second group joins the Imam; they perform their first rak'a with him and the second rak'a individually.

Verse 102 of Sura al-Nisa' is considered a lesson in the importance of prayer, showing that Muslims must insist on performing it even on the battlefield. Nasir Makarem Shirazi, a contemporary Shi'a exegete, notes in his commentary that although congregational prayer is not obligatory, it is a highly emphasized recommended act, and this verse serves as a testament to its great significance.

A Verse for Prayer During Battle

Verse 102 of Sura al-Nisa' explains Salat al-Khawf (Prayer of Fear),[1] which is performed in congregation.[2] This verse is related to the preceding verses that discussed Jihad.[3] God states in the previous verses that the obligation of prayer is not lifted due to travel or Jihad;[4] rather, only the number of its rak'as is reduced (see Qasr Prayer).[5] Subsequently, verse 102 of Nisa' teaches the quality of performing Salat al-Khawf to the Muslims.[6]

The verse mentions that when the Prophet (s) intends to lead the congregational prayer for the Muslim army, he should divide them into two groups and perform Salat al-Khawf.[7]

﴿وَإِذَا كُنْتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا فَلْيَكُونُوا مِنْ وَرَائِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَائِفَةٌ أُخْرَى لَمْ يُصَلُّوا فَلْيُصَلُّوا مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ وَدَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ مَيْلَةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِنْ كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًى مِنْ مَطَرٍ أَوْ كُنْتُمْ مَرْضَى أَنْ تَضَعُوا أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ وَخُذُوا حِذْرَكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُهِينًا ۝102﴾

 [نساء:102]

Occasion of Revelation

Ali b. Ibrahim al-Qummi, a third-century Shi'a exegete, records an occasion of revelation for this verse. The Prophet (s) and the Muslims were traveling toward Mecca to perform 'Umra. News reached the Quraysh, and they sent a group to intercept them. The Prophet (s) and the Muslims stood for Zuhr prayer. The enemies considered the time of prayer a good opportunity for an attack and decided to strike during the next prayer. For the next prayer, Gabriel descended and revealed verse 102 of Sura al-Nisa'. The Prophet (s) divided his forces into two groups based on the revealed verse: one group prayed while the other stood guard.[8] Other Shi'a exegetes have also narrated this account.[9] Sunni exegetes have mentioned the same occasion with minor differences.[10]

Some Shi'a scholars, such as al-Shaykh al-Tusi[11] and al-Allama al-Majlisi,[12] as well as Sunni scholars like al-Tabari[13] and al-Wahidi,[14] report that this occasion was related to the Ghazwa of 'Usfan. Some narrations state that this event led to the conversion of Khalid b. al-Walid to Islam;[15] because he realized that only God could have informed the Prophet (s) of their plan.[16]

Salat al-Khawf

Main article: Salat al-Khawf

One type of Salat al-Khawf, also referred to as the prayer for extreme fear, is performed when there is an intense fear or heavy combat with the enemy and it is impossible to perform the prayer with all its standard parts and conditions.[17] During battle, when prayer is performed in congregation, the Imam divides the warriors into two groups.[18] This congregational form is performed in two ways:

  • The Imam performs only one two-rak'a prayer. The first group follows him for the first rak'a. During the second rak'a, the Imam remains standing (reciting) while they complete their second rak'a individually and finish their prayer. Then the second group joins the Imam and follows him until his Tashahhud. The Imam waits in Tashahhud for them to complete their second rak'a and then they join him in the final Tashahhud to finish the prayer together.[19] This is also called the prayer of "Dhat al-Riqa'".[20]
  • The Imam performs two separate two-rak'a prayers; first his obligatory prayer with the first group and then a second recommended prayer with the second group. This method is based on the view of those who permit following a recommended prayer in an obligatory prayer.[21]

Carrying Weapons During Prayer

Verse 102 of Nisa' commands both groups of worshipers to carry their weapons with them while praying.[22] If they are unable to carry weapons due to rain or illness, they are permitted to put them down, but the verse advises to not abandon caution.[23] Some have interpreted "weapons" in this context as protective gear such as armor and shields.[24]

It is deduced from this verse that the best practice for a warrior is to never be separated from his weapons.[25]

Emphasis on Congregational Prayer

The significance of verse 102 of Sura al-Nisa' is considered to go beyond merely stating the jurisprudential ruling of Salat al-Khawf.[26] Nasir Makarem Shirazi points out that while congregational prayer is not obligatory, it is a highly emphasized recommendation. This verse, by mandating it even on the battlefield, is another proof of its importance.[27] Some exegetes have also noted that congregational prayer in war is established even with one rak'a, illustrating its high status.[28]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ṣadūq, Man lā yaḥḍuruh al-faqīh, vol. 1, p. 463.
  2. ↑ Mughniyya, Al-Kāshif, vol. 2, p. 425.
  3. ↑ Qurṭubī, Al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān, vol. 5, p. 364.
  4. ↑ Qurṭubī, Al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān, vol. 5, p. 364.
  5. ↑ Fakhr al-Rāzī, Mafātīḥ al-ghayb, vol. 11, p. 204.
  6. ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i namūna, vol. 4, p. 100.
  7. ↑ Mughniyya, Al-Kāshif, vol. 2, p. 425.
  8. ↑ Qummī, Tafsīr al-Qummī, vol. 1, p. 150.
  9. ↑ Ḥuwayzī, Tafsīr nūr al-thaqalayn, vol. 1, p. 544.
  10. ↑ Thaʿlabī, Al-Kashf wa l-bayān, vol. 3, p. 375.
  11. ↑ Ṭūsī, Al-Tibyān, vol. 3, p. 311.
  12. ↑ Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 20, p. 175.
  13. ↑ Ṭabarī, Jāmiʿ al-bayān, vol. 5, p. 164.
  14. ↑ Wāḥidī, Asbāb nuzūl al-Qurʾān, p. 182.
  15. ↑ Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 20, p. 175.
  16. ↑ Ṭūsī, Al-Tibyān, vol. 3, p. 311.
  17. ↑ Ṭūsī, Al-Mabsūṭ, vol. 1, pp. 164, 167.
  18. ↑ Mudarrisī, Min hudā l-Qurʾān, vol. 2, p. 169.
  19. ↑ Muḥaqqiq al-Ḥillī, Sharāʾiʿ al-Islām, vol. 1, pp. 120–121.
  20. ↑ Najafī, Jawāhir al-kalām, vol. 14, p. 169.
  21. ↑ Najafī, Jawāhir al-kalām, vol. 14, pp. 163–164.
  22. ↑ Ṭabarsī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, vol. 3, pp. 156–157.
  23. ↑ Ṭabarsī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, vol. 3, p. 157.
  24. ↑ Kāshānī, Manhaj al-ṣādiqīn, vol. 3, p. 103.
  25. ↑ Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān, Daʿāʾim al-Islām, vol. 1, p. 371.
  26. ↑ Sayyid Quṭb, Fī ẓilāl al-Qurʾān, vol. 2, p. 748.
  27. ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i namūna, vol. 4, pp. 102–103.
  28. ↑ Qarāʾatī, Tafsīr-i nūr, vol. 2, p. 146.

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