Abu Huraira told how when God's Messenger encamped between Dajnan and ‘Usfan1 the polytheists said, “These people observe a prayer which is dearer to them than their fathers and their sons, and it is the afternoon prayer, so join together and attach them in a single rush.”2 But Gabriel came to the Prophet and ordered him to divide his companions into two divisions and lead one section in prayer while another stood behind them on guard and armed. They would pray one rak'a and God’s Messenger two.
1. Dajnan is a mountain near Mecca and ‘Usfan, a place two days’ journey from Mecca on the way to Medina.
2. Cf. Al-Qur'an; 4:102.
Jabir said the Prophet was leading the people in the noon prayer in time of danger in a valley with palm trees.* He led a section in two rak'as after which he uttered the salutation; then another section came and he led them in two rak'as after which he uttered the salutation.
*The Arabic is bi-bain nakhl. Mirqat, 2, 244, says this is the name of a place between Mecca and at-Ta’if; but the name of that place is Nakhla. Alternatively it is said to be Batn an-nakhl near Medina.
transmitted it in Sharh as-sunna.
Abu Saud al-Khudri said that the Prophet used to go out on the day of the breaking of the fast and the day of sacrifice to the place of prayer, and the first thing he did was to pray. When he finished he would stand facing the people who were seated in their rows, deliver an exhortation, issue instructions and give them commands. If he intended to send out an army he did so, or if he had any special orders he gave them, and then departed.
God’s Messenger led us in the prayer in time of danger and we drew up in two rows behind him with the enemy between us and the qibla. The Prophet said, "God is most great” and we all said it; then he bowed and we all bowed; then he raised his head after bowing and we all raised ours; then he and the row next him went down in prostration while the rear row stood facing the enemy; then when the Prophet finished the prostration and the row next him stood up, the rear row went down in prostration; then they stood up; then the rear row went to the front and the front row to the rear; then the Prophet bowed and we all bowed; then he raised his head after bowing and we all raised ours; then he and the row next him which had been in the rear in the first rak'a went down in prostration while the rear row stood facing the enemy; then when the Prophet and the row next him finished the prostration the rear row went down and prostrated them selves; then the Prophet, uttered the salutation and we all did so.
