The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, guides the believers in all aspects of life. Among its provisions, its ritual rulings, especially under difficult and critical circumstances, manifest a distinctive display of divine mercy and wisdom. This treatise, by reflecting on verse 101 of Surah An-Nis, explores the concept of Salat al-Khawf and Qasr prayer, which, like a shining jewel, present a method to preserve the spiritual connection with the Lord amid danger and turmoil. This examination, with a profound view of Quranic meanings and concepts, endeavours to offer invaluable lessons in religious discipline, crisis management, and gratitude towards divine blessings.
Verse 101 of Surah An-Nis, as a continuation of the discourse on migration in verse 100, refers to the conditions wherein believers face danger and fear on the path of migration towards God and His Messenger. This connection reflects the comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran in providing devotional and practical guidance during crises. Migration, as a spiritual journey towards truth, is sometimes accompanied by obstacles and threats necessitating special rulings such as Salat al-Khawf. This verse, with unmatched subtlety, offers believers a means to maintain worship during times of peril.
And when you travel through the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer if you fear that those who disbelieve may afflict you with a trial. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.
The phrase "arabtum f al-ar" signifies departing from the urban precincts and stepping onto desert roads. This expression delineates the condition for the applicability of travel-related rulings and Salat al-Khawf. Leaving the city, like passing through gates of security into the unknown, exposes the believer to dangers requiring special rulings. Within this context, the concept of the add al-tarkhthe boundary where the city ends and the desert beginsacquires significance. For instance, in cities like Tehran, as long as the believer remains within the urban area or its surroundings such as Shemiranat and Shahr-e Rey, the prayer remains complete; however, upon crossing the add al-tarkh and entering the road, travel rulings, and in cases of danger, the rulings of Salat al-Khawf come into effect.
Salat al-Khawf, unlike the travellers prayer which depends on covering a prescribed distance (farsakh), is contingent upon conditions of fear and danger. This distinction, akin to two branches from one tree, indicates the Sharias attentiveness to the diverse exigencies of the believers life. The travellers prayer, governed by distance, facilitates ease of worship during journeys, whereas Salat al-Khawf is designed to preserve worship amid danger and turmoil. This flexibility is a manifestation of divine mercy, making worship possible under all circumstances.
The rulings of Salat al-Khawf are discussed in jurisprudential works such as Lumah and Shariah, highlighting its practical significance in the lives of believers. This presence signifies the profound link between the Holy Quran and Islamic jurisprudence, which explicates rulings for varied life conditions. Nevertheless, verse 101 of Surah An-Nis illustrates only one form of Salat al-Khawf, with other methods left to the discretion of jurists and dependent on time and place. This flexibility, like a flowing river, enables the adaptation of rulings to changing circumstances.
The phrase "falaysa alaykum jun" in the verse means there is no religious prohibition against shortening the prayer during conditions of fear. This phrase acts like a key that unlocks a lock, opening the way to facilitate worship amid danger. Qasr prayer, i.e., reducing the number of units or components of prayer, is not only free from blame but is a token of divine mercy enabling worship even under the most challenging conditions.
The permissibility of Qasr prayer is contingent upon the fear of trial from the disbelievers, as expressed in the phrase "in khiftum an yaftinkum alladhna kafar". Here, fitnah denotes attack, robbery, or harm from enemies placing the believer in danger. This condition, like a vigilant guard, confines Qasr prayer to specific circumstances, preventing misuse of this ruling.
The phrase "inna al-kfirn kn lakum aduwn mubnan" emphasises the explicit enmity of the disbelievers. This attribute justifies the fear of trial and summons the believer to vigilance against threats. This hostility is like a fire lying in wait for the believers, and the rulings of Salat al-Khawf act as water that quenches this fire.
Salat al-Khawf is performed in situations of imminent danger such as enemy attack or natural disasters like earthquakes. For example, if a child is in danger, the believer may leave the prayer to save the child. This ruling forms a bridge between preserving life and fulfilling worship. Similarly, during an earthquake, abandoning prayer to escape for safety is permissible. This flexibility demonstrates the primacy of human life within Islamic law.
Salat al-Khawf may be conducted as a single-unit prayer, analogous to the Witr prayer. This minimum, like a light in darkness, preserves the essence of worship even in the most critical conditions. This ruling indicates the Sharias dedication to maintaining the spiritual bond with God at the most arduous moments.
Prayer, beyond a mere ritual act, is a symbol of gratitude towards divine blessings and religious cultivation. Just as a person expresses thanks to anothers kindness by saying Thank you, so too does the believer express gratitude to Gods infinite blessings by proclaiming Allhu Akbar. This simile serves as a mirror reflecting the spiritual reality of prayer.
Intentional abandonment of prayer due to ingratitude for divine favours constitutes disbelief. This ruling acts as a warning urging the believers adherence to this divine obligation. Prayer is like a cord binding the believer to God, and severing this cord signifies separation from the truth of faith.
Prayer is only accepted if performed in accordance with Sharia rulings. Just as only the valid currency of a nation is accepted in commerce, so only a prayer performed in conformity with divine instructions is deemed valid. This simile is a torch illuminating the importance of religious discipline.
The hadith "all kam raaytumn aall" (Pray as you have seen me pray) establishes the Prophets practice as the standard of worship. This hadith, like a guiding star, directs believers on the correct path of worship and prevents deviation.
In situations such as suffocation or drowning, even moving the head suffices as prayer. This ruling, like a saviour amid a storm, enables worship at the most difficult moments. Even when captured by an enemy, uttering a single Al as prayer preserves connection with God.
Salat al-Khawf may be performed individually or collectively. This flexibility resembles a tree whose branches extend towards the sky in any condition. Maintaining congregation, even amid danger, signifies unity and solidarity among believers.
Salat al-Khawf is not restricted to warfare but encompasses any form of danger and trial. This inclusiveness, like a wide gate, facilitates utilisation of this ruling in diverse circumstances.
Verse 101 of Surah An-Nis, like a gem within the oyster of the Holy Quran, provides methods to preserve worship during perilous conditions. Salat al-Khawf, through Qasr prayer, allows worship amid turmoil and threat, manifesting divine mercy and wisdom. This verse, by distinguishing between Salat al-Khawf and the travellers prayer, emphasises the flexibility of Islamic rulings and imparts invaluable lessons in crisis management, religious discipline, and gratitude. In the contemporary world, these rulings serve as shining torches inviting believers to maintain connection with God in all circumstances.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
