فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًا ۖ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمْ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْلَمُونَ 239
Translations
And if you fear [an enemy, then pray] on foot or riding. But when you are secure, then remember Allāh [in prayer], as He has taught you that which you did not [previously] know.
Transliteration
Fa-in khiftum farijah aw rukbanan fa-iza amintum fadhkuru Allaha kama allamakum ma lam takunu taAAlamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah permits Muslims to perform prayer in a shortened form (salat al-khawf) while traveling or in states of fear, standing or riding, and instructs them to remember Allah as He has taught them once safety is restored. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that this verse establishes flexibility in religious observance during hardship while emphasizing continuous remembrance of Allah and gratitude for His instruction and guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the passage (2:238-239) revealed in Medina regarding prayer and its observance under various circumstances. It addresses the practical challenges faced by the early Muslim community during times of travel, warfare, and fear, providing divine permission for modified worship while maintaining the spirit of devotion to Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of deeds is prayer at its proper time' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that when the Prophet was in fear during prayer, he would pray on his mount (Sunan Abu Dawud), exemplifying the permission granted in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islam is a religion of mercy and practicality, allowing believers to adapt their worship to circumstances while maintaining their connection to Allah. It emphasizes that remembering and thanking Allah for His guidance is a continuous obligation that supersedes rigid adherence to external forms, especially when facing genuine hardship or danger.