29.0 CHAPTER: THE ECLIPSE PRAYER
“Chapter: Prayer of the Solar Eclipse”: The prayer for the solar eclipse (salat al-kusuf) is a Sunnah muakkadah. Some scholars consider it wajib as it was a command of the Prophet(pbuh). (Reported by al-Bukhari (2/42-43) and Muslim (3/27) from the narration of ‘Aishah who heard the Prophet(pbuh) say, “The sun and the moon are two signs of Allah. They are not eclipsed on account of anyone’s death or on account of anyone’s birth. So, when you see that, declare His greatness, supplicate to Allah, perform prayer, and give alms.”)
Al-kusuf (with the letter kaf) and al-khusuf (with the letter kha) are used to describe the solar and lunar eclipse. The terms can be used to describe both the solar and lunar eclipse though some claim that al-khusuf is only used to describe the solar eclipse and al-kusuf is only used to describe the lunar eclipse. The former opinion, that they are interchangeable, is correct. (See al-Mutla (p. 109) and al-Dar al-Naqi (1/383) and al-Misbah al-Munir (pp. 231, 732).)
In an eclipse, the brightness disappears from the sun and moon. Allah created them both so as to facilitate His servants. He made the moon reflect light while the sun was made as a burning lamp. Their brightness is very significant to mankind. If the brightness of both the sun and the moon disappears forever, mankind will feel its adverse effects and one fears that a great calamity shall ensue.
Both the solar and lunar eclipses are caused by a reason well-known to astronomers. The solar eclipse occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it to the same position as the sun. The moon is below the sun at that point and the sun’s rays are blocked from reaching the earth. It occurs only at the end of month, namely the twenty ninth and thirtieth days. This is when the moon’s orbit crosses paths with the sun, coming in between it and the earth.
As for the lunar eclipse, it occurs when the reverse happens. That is, the earth’s orbit brings it between the sun and the moon. The sun’s rays are blocked from reaching the moon. This occurs only on the fourteenth or fifteenth night of the month known in Arabic as “laylat al-abdar.” When the sun and the earth cross paths, the earth’s shadow falls on the moon and that is when a full lunar eclipse is observed. There are partial lunar eclipses on occasion. Astronomers can calculate when the eclipse will occur and so they make it known to the general public before it occurs.
Though it may be calculated and notified in advance, there is no doubt that it is a harbinger for a calamity or that harm is to befall the inhabitants of the earth. The change in brightness may trigger an adverse effect. Hence, a true believer receives it with much anxiety and fear. The Prophet(pbuh) said, “The sun and the moon are two signs of Allah. Allah put fear into His servants by it. So, if you see either eclipse, perform the prayer and invoke until what may befall you is removed.” (Reported by al-Bukhari (2/42, 44), Ahmad (5/37) and al-Nasa’i (3/124, 126) from the narration of Abu Bakrah.)
When a solar eclipse occurred during the lifetime of the Prophet(pbuh) he left his house in fear, taking long strides that were straining his lower garment. (This is an established command of the Prophet(pbuh) as mentioned in the hadith narrated by Abu Bakrah (ibid).) There is a worry that the final hour is nigh and that mankind shall be afflicted with a calamity or punishment during an eclipse. The Muslims invoked Allah to remove that which is hindering the light.
The prayer for solar eclipse is an emphasized Sunnah (Sunnah muakkadah) which was performed by the Prophet(pbuh). (Reported by al-Bukhari (2/45) and Muslim (3/34) from the narration of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas. Many other narrations support this.) He ordered the Muslims to perform likewise and the Muslims have made this their practice ever since. Some scholars derive the injunction to perform this prayer from the following Quranic ayah: {And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah, who created them, if it should be Him that you worship.} (Fussilat: 37) The scholars said, “The meaning of prostration is the prayer of solar eclipse.” It is a fact that this prayer is a well-established Sunnah, which was clearly evident from the sayings and actions of the Prophet(pbuh). It is a Sunnah muakkadah.
It is Sunnah to perform the eclipse prayer in a congregation or individually when either eclipse occurs. It consists of two rakat and in the first rakat the imam recites aloud a long surah after al-Fatihah. Then he makes ruku’ and prolongs it. He returns to the standing position saying tasmi and tahmid and begins reciting al-Fatihah followed by another long surah, shorter than the first. He makes ruku ’again prolonging it but not as long as the first ruku’. He returns to the standing position and then makes sujud twice, prolonging them both. He proceeds to perform the second rakat similarly. However, he performs it quicker than the first rakat. After reading the tashahud, he concludes the prayer with the taslim.
“It is Sunnah to perform the eclipse prayer in a congregation or individually”: It is better to perform it in congregation as was the practice of the Prophet(pbuh). He went out to offer the prayer with his Companions in the masjid. Hence, it is Sunnah to pray in congregation. It is better to perform it in the masjid as well. However, it is permissible to perform it individually based on the general statement of the Prophet(pbuh) “So if you see either eclipse, perform the prayer and invoke.”
“When either eclipse occurs”: When the brightness of the sun or the moon disappears.
“It consists of two rakat”: It is a consensus that the eclipse prayer consists of two rakat. The ruku, standing after ruku and sujud, are done twice in each rakat.
“In the first rakat the imam recites aloud”: It is mustahabb to recite aloud in the eclipse prayer, even if it is performed in the afternoon. Reciting the ayat aloud allows the ma’mum to listen to it. In fact, one recites it aloud even when he is performing the prayer individually as the Prophet(pbuh) used to recite aloud. (Reported by al-Bukhari (1/49) and Muslim (3/29) from the narration of ‘Aishah.)
“A long surah”‘. The surah is unspecified, so one may read any surah that is long. It is said in the hadith narrated by Aisha, “Similar to Surah al-Baqarah.” (Reported by al-Bukhari (2/42-43) and Muslim (3/27).) This is so that the imam can prolong the standing.
“Then he makes ruku and prolongs it”: Making it similar in length to standing.
“He returns to the standing position saying tasmi’ and tahmid”: Saying, “Sami’ allahu liman hamidah” and then, “Rabbana wa laka al-hamd.”
And begins reciting al-Fatihah followed by another long surah, shorter than the first”: The imam reads a shorter surah than the first.
“He makes ruku again prolonging it but not as long as the first ruku”: This ruku is much quicker when compared to the first.
“He returns to the standing position”: Saying, “Sami’ allahu liman hamidah” and then, “Rabbana wa laka al-hamd.”
“And then make sujud twice, prolonging them both”: Prolonging them as long as the ruku.
“He proceeds to perform the second rakat similarly. However, he performs it quicker than the first rakat. After reading the tashahud, he concludes the prayer with the taslim ”: He performs the second rakat and concludes the prayer with the tashahud followed by the taslim.
Hence, the eclipse prayer is of two rakat that consist of four ruku and sujud. Each rakat consists of two ruku and sujud. This is the established method of performing the prayer for the solar eclipse. (See al-Mughni (3/323).)
It was mentioned, “There are three ruku in every rakat. So, the total for the prayer is six ruku’.” (Reported by Muslim (3/31) from the narration of Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah who said, “There was an eclipse of the sun during the life of the Messenger of Allah(pbuh) on the day his son had passed away. The people began to say that there was an eclipse on account of the death of Ibrahim. The Prophet(pbuh) stood up and led the people in prayer performing six bows and four prostrations.”)
It was also mentioned, “There are four ruku in every rakat. So, the total for the prayer is eight ruku’.” (Reported by Muslim (3/34) from the narration of Ibn ‘Abbas who said, “The Messenger of Allah prayed eight ruku’ with four sujud during a solar eclipse.”) Another view is that there are five ruku’ in each rakat, which makes it a total of ten ruku’ for the prayer. (Reported by Ahmad (5/134), Abu Dawud (1182) from the narration of Ubay ibn Ka’b who said: An eclipse of the sun took place during the time of the Messenger of Allah(pbuh). The Prophet(pbuh) led them in prayer. He recited one of the long surahs, bowing five times and prostrating himself twice. He then stood up for the second rakat, recited one of the long surahs, bowed five times, prostrated himself twice, then sat where he was facing the qiblah and made the supplication until the eclipse was over.“)
These methods have all been reported (See al-Mughni (3/329).) but the most established and preferred is the first method, i.e., that it consists of two rakat and in each rakat there are two ruku’ and sujud. Hence the total for the prayer is four ruku and sujud. This was the way the Prophet(pbuh) performed the prayer and he did so once as he witnessed only a single eclipse during his lifetime and it was a solar eclipse.
This proves that the Messenger(pbuh) had chosen to pray one of these methods for surely he could not have prayed the eclipse prayer repeatedly. It is said that these variances were performed by him(pbuh). However, this assumption is baseless and not possible as he only performed this prayer once. So, we must choose one of them and the most preferred is the first method. The four imams preferred this method too. The other methods are considered weak and are not preferred.
The condition (qa’idah) held by the scholars of hadith is:
If there are ahadith that contradict each other, then they will focus on the chain of narrators, preferring that which is most authentic in comparison to the others. If two chains of narrators are equally authentic, then an attempt will be made to reconcile the contents of the two ahadith if it is possible. If not, one hadith will be identified as the more preferred of the two.
When the eclipse emerges, the prayer is expedited.
The time for the solar eclipse is when the sky darkens until when the eclipse ceases. Conducting the eclipse prayer based solely on the information given by astronomers is not permitted, even if the information given by them is precise to the minute of the occurrence of the eclipse. This is because the Prophet(pbuh) associated the prayer with the visual presence of an eclipse. (Reported by al-Bukhari (2/42) and Muslim (3/28) from the narration of ‘Aishah.) In the event that it is noticed, the prayer is offered. If not, then no action is taken.
“When the eclipse emerges, the prayer is expedited”: That is, the prayer is hastened as the timing for the eclipse shall lapse along with it. However, the prayer should not be abruptly aborted even as the sky clears.
Inversely, if the prayer is concluded before the end of the eclipse, the prayer should not be repeated. The Muslims should engage in invocation and seek forgiveness from Allah.
If the sun sets during a solar eclipse, it rises when there is a lunar eclipse or when a natural disaster other than an earthquake occurs, no prayer is performed.
“If the sun sets during a solar eclipse”: No prayer is offered as there is no benefit to doing so.
“It rises when there is a lunar eclipse”: If there is sunrise while a lunar eclipse is occurring, no prayer is offered for the lunar eclipse as the moon has lost its importance with the rising of the sun. The moon benefits us only at night. The protagonist of the day is the sun.
“Or when a natural disaster other than an earthquake occurs”: If an earthquake occurs, the earth shakes which strikes fear in the hearts of men, there is a high level of destruction and high death tolls. In this scenario, it is Sunnah to perform a prayer for the occurrence of the earthquake as was done by the Companions. (Reported by ‘Abdul Razzaq (4929) from the narration of Ibn ‘Abbas and al-Bayhaqi (3/343) from the narration of ‘Ali.) Allah is invoked during this calamity until this natural disaster ceases.
No prayer is legislated for natural disasters other than an earthquake, like a frightful thunderstorm and severe sand storm. Offering a prayer during these occurrences has not been recorded by the pious predecessors. It has been recorded that some Companions prayed during an earthquake. There is no evidence that they prayed for any other natural disaster apart from an earthquake.
However, it is legislated that the Muslims invoke Allah during a thunderstorm, sand storm or any disaster or sign that is frightening. One invokes Allah to remove the calamity from the Muslims.
It is permissible for one to perform three, four or five ruku in each rakat.
“It is permissible for one to perform three, four or five ruku in each rakat ”: That is, a total of six, eight or ten ruku for the eclipse prayer. This is permissible as there are ahadith that prove it’s permissibility. (Mentioned previously.)
However, the narration that we mentioned earlier is preferred though other narrations are not to be refuted. It is also permissible to perform the eclipse prayer like any ordinary nafl prayer with just one ruku in each rakat.
By Shaykh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan
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