Is it permissible for a group to perform the Prayer of Intense Fear in congregation while standing or mounted?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Prayer of Fear
Primary text
The Hanafis and our colleagues permit them to pray in congregation during intense fear, standing or mounted. The justification is that this state permits solitary prayer, thus congregational prayer is permissible, analogous to praying on a ship. The slight deviation from the Imam (advancing or retreating) is pardoned due to necessity, similar to the allowance for extensive action.
Supporting text
A differing view, held by Abu Hanifa, suggests it is not permissible because the necessary advancing and retreating might cause them to precede the Imam, making following impossible. The counterargument is that forgiveness for preceding the Imam is not established except through explicit text or meaning, which is absent here. Furthermore, extensive action is not specific to the Imamate but applies to the individual state as well, whereas preceding the Imam relates specifically to the congregation.