"The prayer of the resident was enjoined on the tongue of your Prophet (ﷺ), four (rak'ahs), and the prayer of the traveler is two rak'ahs, and the prayer of fear is one rak'ah."
The Book of Shortening the Prayer When Traveling
Sunan an-Nasa'i 1441
Hadith Text
"The prayer of the resident was enjoined on the tongue of your Prophet (ﷺ), four (rak'ahs), and the prayer of the traveler is two rak'ahs, and the prayer of fear is one rak'ah."
Commentary by Imam an-Nasa'i
This noble hadith establishes the divine legislation regarding the number of rak'ahs in different circumstances. The Prophet (ﷺ) received this ruling through revelation, demonstrating Allah's mercy in facilitating worship for His servants.
The four-rak'ah prayers for residents reflect the complete form of prayer, while the traveler's two rak'ahs exemplify the concession (rukhṣah) granted by the All-Wise Legislator. The prayer during fear being one rak'ah shows the ultimate facilitation during extreme circumstances of battle or danger.
Juridical Rulings
This hadith serves as foundational evidence for shortening prayers during travel (qaṣr). The traveler must shorten the four-rak'ah prayers to two throughout the journey.
The prayer of fear (ṣalāt al-khawf) follows specific protocols during military engagement, where security concerns necessitate this abbreviated form while maintaining the essence of prayer.
Spiritual Wisdom
These variations in prayer demonstrate the flexibility and practicality of Islamic law. They reveal Allah's profound wisdom in legislating worship that accommodates human circumstances without compromising devotion.
The graduated approach—from four to two to one rak'ah—shows how Islamic worship maintains its essence while adapting to situations, reflecting the balanced nature of this perfect religion.