"Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, enjoined the prayer on the tongue of your Prophet (ﷺ): While a resident four (rak'ahs), while traveling two, and at times of fear one."
The Book of Shortening the Prayer When Traveling - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1442
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith establishes the divine legislation regarding the number of rak'ahs in prayer under different circumstances. The phrasing "enjoined on the tongue of your Prophet" emphasizes that these rulings originate from Allah's wisdom, delivered through His Messenger.
The specification of four rak'ahs for the resident refers to the noon (Dhuhr), afternoon (Asr), and night (Isha) prayers, while the morning (Fajr) remains two and sunset (Maghrib) remains three regardless of circumstance.
Legal Rulings and Conditions
Shortening to two rak'ahs applies when one travels the prescribed distance (approximately 48 miles/77 km according to most scholars) and intends to stay less than four days in a place. This constitutes a concession (rukhsah) from Allah's mercy.
The prayer of fear (Salat al-Khawf) being one rak'ah demonstrates the principle of easing religious obligations during extreme difficulty, showing Islam's practical adaptability to human circumstances.
Divine Wisdom
This gradation in prayer rak'ahs reflects Allah's perfect knowledge of human conditions. The resident enjoys stability, the traveler faces hardship, and the fearful experiences extreme distress - each receiving appropriate legislation.
This hadith exemplifies Islam's balance between maintaining worship obligations and recognizing human limitations, demonstrating the Shariah's comprehensive consideration of all life situations.