How to Pray in War

The question: This letter in our hands contains several questions, and useful questions from the side of Zamar, Khuruk village, in the Ninawa Governorate of Iraq. It says: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy.
My brothers! My heart is greatly pleased when I listen to the presentation of legal questions and the answers to them by your esteemed scholars, but at the same time, I suggest extending the duration of the program and presenting a greater number of questions and answering them.
We tell you, my brother: We present many questions and we take up the entire time of the program.
He says: My brothers! I have questions, the first of which is: I ask you to clarify and benefit me regarding the prayer of war for the soldiers present on the battlefield. He sent this letter from the battlefield. He says: Does the soldier always pray the shortened prayer, or if he settles somewhat away from the battlefield, does he pray the resident prayer along with the other voluntary prayers and recommended practices? And if he has the desire to do so, which is better? May Allah guide you.
The answer: The prayer of war is different. If he is a traveler and not in his home country, he prays the shortened prayer: he prays two rak'ahs for Dhuhr, two for Asr, and two for Isha, like other travelers. It is the Sunnah for them to pray it as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed it, praying it in congregation. It is obligatory for them to pray it in congregation if they are able, with an imam. He prays two rak'ahs with them. If the enemy is in the direction of the qiblah, he prays with them all, and bows with them all, then prostrates with the first row, while the second row remains to watch so that the enemy does not attack. When the first row rises from prostration, the second row prostrates, as the Companions did with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Then the first row moves forward and the second row moves back, and he prays with them all and bows with them all, then prostrates with the first row, which was the last row in the first rak'ah. The second row, which was the front row in the first rak'ah, stands waiting, watching, and guarding. When the first row rises from its prostration, the second row prostrates, then he concludes the prayer with them all. This is one type of the prayer of fear. There are other types of the prayer of fear that the imam who prays with them should consider. One of them is that he prays one rak'ah with one group, then they pray the second rak'ah for themselves, conclude the prayer, and go to guard. The other group comes and prays the second rak'ah with him. When they finish prostrating, they stand and make up the rak'ah that is due on them, then he concludes the prayer with them. This is another type that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed. There are other types known from the books of the people of hadith, such as Bulugh al-Maram, such as Muntakha al-Akhbar, such as Sahih al-Bukhari, such as Sahih Muslim, and the Four Sunan, in which the types of the prayer of fear are explained. It is permissible for him to pray one rak'ah with them, according to the preferred opinion as well. It is permissible for each group to pray one rak'ah, or for him to pray one rak'ah with them all, and there is no harm in that.
The result is that the prayer of fear has known types, and the imam should pray with them whatever type is feasible that he is able to perform. If they are unable and the war becomes intense and there is mixing between the enemy and his opponent, they pray on foot and on horseback, even by gesturing. Each person prays for himself, facing the qiblah or not facing it in case of dire necessity, as Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: [Surat al-Baqarah: 239].
As for if the war is in the city, in the place of residence, he prays four rak'ahs like other residents, and he does not pray two. This is only in travel. As for the one whose war is in the city, on the outskirts of the city, he prays four rak'ahs and does not pray two. Yes.
The presenter: But in war, if he is in the battle and on his tank or something similar, does he pray on any...?
The Shaykh: ... He prays in his state by gesturing, if he is not able to do otherwise. If he is able to bow and prostrate in the place where he is praying, he does so; otherwise, he prays by gesturing. If he is able to face the qiblah, praise be to Allah; otherwise, in any direction...
The presenter: In any direction?
The Shaykh: Yes. In case of dire necessity.
The presenter: In case of dire necessity?
The Shaykh: In case of dire necessity. Yes.