What’s done during an Eclipse?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
What does Allah say about the Eclipse?
Allah said:
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ لَا تَسْجُدُوا لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُنَّ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.[1]
يَسْأَلُ أَيَّانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ * فَإِذَا بَرِقَ الْبَصَرُ * وَخَسَفَ الْقَمَرُ * وَجُمِعَ الشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ
He asks: “When will be this Day of Resurrection?” So, when the sight shall be dazed,. And the moon will be eclipsed,[2]
وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِالْآيَاتِ إِلَّا تَخْوِيفًا
And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction).[3]
Why does an Eclipse occur?
There are 2 reasons why an eclipse can occur;
1st. The legislative reason from Allah is to strike fear in the servants of Allah during the times’ sin is widespread and the hearts have grown hard.
2nd. The reason related to the universe which is connected to 2 reasons. The Solar eclipse and this takes place when the moon passes between the sun and the earth. The 2nd reason is that of the Lunar eclipse and this happens when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon[4]
Is there an Athan for the Eclipse prayer?
The Mu’athin says: الصلاة جامعة and a woman alone doesn’t say it so that people can hear it. The Mu’athin says it 3 times or more so that people can hear it. [5]
Is the Eclipse prayer wajib or Sunnah?
It’s Sunnah
When does the Eclipse prayer begin?
It begins from the beginning of the eclipse and concludes at its end.
If I miss the Eclipse prayer do I make it up?
No
How do I pray the Eclipse prayer then?
You offer 2 Rakah. You read aloud Al-Fatiha aloud along with a long surah followed by this you bow in ruku staying there for a long time. Then you rise up saying – Sami Allahu liman Hamid ah. You don’t go to Sujud at this point but rather you read Al-Fatihah again along a long Surah then go to Ruku and when you come up this time you go to Sujud. Make the Sujud long both times. Two Sajdahs are to be done. Next, you stand for the 2nd Rakah praying it the same way you did the first. And if you want to offer 3, 4, 5, Rakah then there is no harm in doing this as long as each Rakah is prayed in the manner of the 1st Rakah.[6]
What are some legislated acts during the Eclipse?
1. Pray
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of someone from the people but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them stand up and pray.”[7]
- Make Dhikr, Dua, and Seek forgiveness
The sun eclipsed and the Prophet (ﷺ) got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment). He went to the Mosque and offered the prayer with the longest Qiyam, bowing and prostration that I had ever seen him doing. Then he said, “These signs which Allah sends do not occur because of the life or death of somebody, but Allah makes His worshipers afraid by them. So when you see anything thereof, proceed to remember Allah, invoke Him and ask for His forgiveness.”[8]
- Say Allahu Akbar and give Sadaqah
Narrated A’ishah (Radi Allah Anha): The sun and the moon are not eclipsed on account of anyone’s death or on account of anyone’s birth. So when you see that, supplicate Allah, declare His greatness, and give charity.[9]
- Give an admonition and seek refuge from the grave punishment.
…Then he finished the prayer and delivered the sermon and) said what Allah wished, and ordered the people to seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave….[10]
And Allah knows best
Prepared by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle
Doha, Qatar 1438©
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[1] [فصلت: 37].
[2] القيامة: 6 – 9
[3] [الإسراء: 59]
[4] Liqah Babul Maftuh 15/pg 4-5 by Imam Al-Uthaymeen
[5] Nur Ala Darb for Imam Al-Uthaymeen #3175
[6] Dalil At-Talib.
[7] Sahih al-Bukhari 1041
[8] Sahih al-Bukhari 1059
[9] Sunan Abi Dawud 1191 sahih by Al-Albani
[10] Sahih al-Bukhari 1055, 1056..