or if he needs to walk, or is incapable of performing some of the pillars of the prayer—whether due to a permissible flight from an enemy, a flood, a beast of prey, a fire, or anything similar from which he cannot escape except by fleeing, or by engaging in swordplay, or in the heat of battle, and the need to charge, retreat, strike, hit, and pursue—he may pray according to his condition, on foot or riding, facing the Qibla if possible, or facing otherwise if not possible. If he is unable to bow or prostrate, he gestures for them, and he bows more deeply for the prostration than for the bowing, to the extent of his capability. If he is unable to gesture, it is waived. If he is unable to stand, sit, or do either, it is waived. If he needs to strike, hit, charge, or retreat, he does so. He does not delay the prayer from its time, because of the saying of Allah the Exalted: "But if you fear, then [pray] on foot or riding" (2). Malik narrated from Nafi', from Ibn 'Umar, who said: "If the fear is more intense than that, they pray on foot, standing on their feet, or riding, facing the Qibla or not facing it" (3). Nafi' said: "I do not think Ibn 'Umar related this except from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)." If it is possible to begin the prayer facing the Qibla, is that obligatory? Abu Bakr said: There are two narrations regarding it. The first is that it is not obligatory, because it is a part of the parts of the prayer, so facing the Qibla is not obligatory in it, just like the rest of its parts. He said: This is what I hold. The second is that it is obligatory, because of what Anas bin Malik narrated: that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), when he was on a journey and wanted to pray upon his mount, would face the Qibla, then say the Takbir, then pray wherever it directed him (4). Reported by al-Daraqutni (5). Also, because he is able to begin the prayer while facing the Qibla, it is not permissible [to omit] it, just as if he were able to do so for a complete rak'ah. The complete explanation of this prayer, we will mention in the chapter on the Prayer of Fear, if Allah wills.