Solar and lunar eclipses: An Islamic perspective THE Prophet, peace be upon him, said, ‘’The lunar and solar eclipse do not happen due to the death of anybody, or due to him staying alive, but they are one of the evidences (proofs, signs) of (the existence of) Allah. If you see that happening, remember Allah until that clears up.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Prayer of solar and lunar eclipses Scholars agree that the prayer of the eclipses is a stressed tradition (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) which is performed by both men and women. It is best to offer it in congregation although the congregation is not a condition for it. People are called to it by announcing as-salatu jama’ah (prayer in congregation). A majority of the scholars hold it to be consisting of two units (rak’at) and that in every unit (rak’ah) one is to perform two bowings (ruku’) instead of the customary one. According to a narration by the Prophet’s wife Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her): “There was a solar eclipse during the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and he went to the mosque, and he stood and made the takbir, and he put the people in rows behind him, and he made a lengthy recital during the salah. Next, he made the takbir and made a long ruku’, but it was not as long as the recital. Following that, he raised his head, saying: ‘Allah hears him who praises Him. And to You, our Lord, belongs the praise.’ Afterward, he stood and made another long recital but it was shorter than the first one. Again, he made the takbir and made a ruku’ that was shorter than the first one. Then, again he said: ‘Allah hears him who praises Him. And to You, our Lord, belongs the praise.’ After this, he prostrated. He did the same in the next rak’ah and finished four ruku’ and four sujud. The sun appeared again before he finished. Finally, he stood and addressed the people and praised Allah as He deserves it and said: ‘The sun and the moon are two signs from among Allah’s signs and there is no eclipse due to someone’s death or life. If you see them occurring, hasten to pray.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The Prophet’s companion Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas said, “There was a solar eclipse during the lifetime of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and he prayed with a long standing, similar to what it takes to recite Surah Al-Baqarah. Then, he made a long ruku’. After which, he stood and made another long recital but shorter than the first one. Again he went down into ruku’, but for a shorter time than in the first one. Following this, he made sajdah [twice]. Next he made another long standing (qiyam) which was also not as long as the first. After that, he made another lengthy ruku’ but it was not as long as the first one. Again, he made another long qiyam [and recital] but it was not as long as the first one. After which, he made another lengthy ruku’ but it was not as long as the previous one. Following this, he went down into sajdah [and so on]. When he had finished, the sun had appeared. He concluded his prayer and said: ‘The sun and the moon are two signs from among the signs of Allah, and there is no eclipse due to the death or life of anyone. If you see it, make remembrance of Allah.’” The time for the eclipse prayer is from the beginning of the eclipse until it ends. The prayer of the lunar eclipse is similar to that of the solar eclipse. Al-Hasan al-Basri reports: “There was a solar eclipse and Ibn ‘Abbas, the governor of Basra, went out and prayed two rak’at with two ruku’ in each rak’ah. Then, he mounted his mount and said: ‘I prayed as I have seen the Prophet, peace be upon him, praying.’” [Related by Ash-Shaf’i in Musnad] It is preferred to make the takbir, supplications, to give charity, and ask Allah for forgiveness during the eclipse. In another narration recorded from Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet said, “The sun and the moon are two signs from among Allah’s signs and there is no eclipse due to the life or death of anyone. If you see that [an eclipse] supplicate to Allah, extol His greatness, give in charity and pray.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] It is also recorded from another companion Abu Musa that there was a solar eclipse and the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “If you see something of this nature, rush to the remembrance of Allah, supplicating Him and asking His forgiveness.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:53:03 +0000
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