سورة البَقَرَة
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:239
The Cow · Verse 239 of 286
فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًا ۖ فَإِذَا أَمِنْتُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ
Abdul Mannan Omar
And if you apprehend (any danger) then (say your Prayer) on foot or mounted, but when you are secure, then remember Allâh in the manner He taught you (and) which (manner) you did not know (before).
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
If ye fear (an enemy), pray on foot, or riding, (as may be most convenient), but when ye are in security, celebrate Allah's praises in the manner He has taught you, which ye knew not (before).
Ahmed Ali
If you fear (war or danger), pray while standing or on horseback; but when you have safety again remember God, for He taught you what you did not know.
12 more translations
Ali Unal
If you are exposed to danger (and it is impossible for you to perform the Prayer standing in a place, then pray) afoot or mounted. When you are secure, mention God (and establish the Prayer) as He has taught you what you did not know (of faith, Book, and the Prayer.)
Daryabadi
And if ye fear, then pray on foot or riding; then when ye are secure, remember Allah in the way He hath taught you which ye ever knew not.
Faridul Haque
And if you are in fear, pray while on foot or while riding, as you can; when you are in peace remember Allah the way He has taught you, which you did not know.
Maulana Muhammad Ali
But if you are in danger (say your prayers) on foot or on horseback. And when you are secure, remember Allah as He has taught you what you knew not.
Maulvi Sher Ali
If you are in a state of fear, then say your prayers on foot or riding, but when you are safe, remember ALLAH as HE has taught you that which you did not know.
Muhammad Asad
But if you are in danger, [pray] walking or riding; and when you are again secure, bear God in mind - since it is He who taught you what you did not previously know.
Muhammad Musin Khan
And if you fear (an enemy), perfrom Salat (pray) on foot or riding. And when you are in safety, offer the Salat (prayer) in the manner He has taught you, which you knew not (before).
Muhammad Pickthall
And if ye go in fear, then (pray) standing or on horseback. And when ye are again in safety, remember Allah, as He hath taught you that which (heretofore) ye knew not.
Muhammad Sarwar
In an emergency you may say your prayers while walking or riding; but when you are safe, remember God, as He has taught you what you did not know before.
Muhammed ali Shakir
But if you are in danger, then (say your prayers) on foot or on horseback; and when you are secure, then remember Allah, as. He has taught you what you did not know.
Rashad Khalifa
Under unusual circumstances, you may pray while walking or riding. Once you are safe, you shall commemorate GOD as He taught you what you never knew.
Shabbir Ahmed
Whether fear threatens you from without, or you are strolling, riding, relaxing in peace, remember God as He has taught you (the right and wrong) what you did not know.
Commentary 2:239 The five daily ritual Prayers constitute the most important worship in Islam. ‘Umar bin Khattâb(rz) related that he heard the Holy Prophet (pbuh) saying,…
فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًا ۖ فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ
2:239 The five daily ritual Prayers constitute the most important worship in Islam. ‘Umar bin Khattâb(rz) related that he heard the Holy Prophet (pbuh) saying, “Prayer is a Gift from Allâh, so accept it. ”Ibn Mas‘ûd said, “I asked the Holy Prophet (pbuh), which deed is dearest to Allâh? He replied: (Ritual) Prayer at its proper time and in its proper manner.”(Bukhârî; Abû Muslim). Abû Hurairah reported Allâh’s Messenger as saying, “What do you think if there is a stream at the gate of your house and you take bath five times a day, will there be left any dirt or filth on your body?” The Companions replied, “No, nothing of the filth and dirt”. On this the Holy Prophet (pbuh) observed, “So is the similitude of five Prayers” (Bukhârî; Abû Muslim).
According to the present verse, there are no circumstances in which a Muslim can neglect his ritual Prayers, even when he is in a state of extreme fear or danger. He has the flexibility to perform them while lying down, or riding, or in any other state when formal Prayer with its proper gesticulations is not possible. The subject of ritual Prayer during times of danger and fear has been dealt with in the Holy Qur’ân in two more places. Verse 4:101 describes the possibility of the shortening of Prayer at times of journey and trouble. Verse 4:102 deals with Prayer performed in congregation. As ‘Âishah(rz) said, “At the beginning, while the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was still in Makkah, Prayer was prescribed as consisting of two Rakat. After the Messenger of Allâh emigrated to Madînah it was adjusted to four, in Zuhurظهر(the noon Prayer), Asrعصر(the afternoon Prayer) and ‘Ishâ عشاء (the night Prayer); however, while traveling it was left according to the original prescribed form of two Rak‘ats (Bukhârî; Abû Muslim). Ibn ‘Abbâs said, “Allâh has prescribed the Prayer by the tongue of your Prophet as four Rak‘ats while in peace and at home, two when traveling and one when in danger” (Bukhârî; Abû Muslim). Ibn ‘Umar said that Allâh’s Messenger established the practice of praying two Rak‘ats when traveling, constituting a complete observance and not an abbreviation (Ibn Mâjâh). The shortening of Prayer as mentioned in 4:101 does not mean reducing the prescribed number of Rak‘ats, but the quality and time of Prayer (Ibn Kathîr). Descriptions of as many as fourteen different methods of Prayer in times of danger and fear are to be found in the sayings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). In these accounts, the circumstances leading to the shortening of Prayer were different each time.