What is the ruling regarding repeating the prayer if fear is found to be unfounded or if the enemy is too far to reach?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of the Prayer of Fear

Book 5 · Issue 7 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If they performed the Prayer of Fear (whether intense or otherwise) based on the assumption of an enemy, and it turns out there is no enemy, or the enemy is present but too far away to pose an immediate threat, they must repeat the prayer. This obligation applies whether their assumption was based on reliable or unreliable reports, or mere visual perception. This is because they omitted part of the prayer's obligations assuming they were waived, thus the prayer must be repeated, similar to a person who wipes over a worn-out sock believing it sufficient for Wudu and then finds it defective, or one who prayed while impure believing they were pure.

Supporting text

There is a possibility that repetition is not obligatory if the enemy exists but is too far away to advance upon them, because the cause for fear (the presence of the enemy) was established, only the preventing factor (the distance) was hidden.