Solar and Lunar Eclipse in Islam

A total solar eclipse in Indonesia.
Picture credit: betchartexpeditions.com

This morning there was a total solar eclipse, and in Indonesia people could see it in several provinces include West Java where I live. Alhamdulillah, we could perform prayer (salatul-kusuf) during that time in our masjid (Mosque) at 06.20 am.
Here in this chance, I’ll share about solar and lunar eclipse base on Qur’an and hadith. I also took from some references beside from khutbah (sermon) in solatul-kusuf that I received from Imam.
Muslims recognize that everything in the heavens and on earth is created by the Lord of the universe, Allah Almighty. Qur’an as our guidance has asked us to look around them, observe the beauties of the natural world, as signs of Allah’s majesty.
In surah Ar-Rahman (The Beneficent) verse 33:
“O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority (from Allah).”

“Allah is He, who created the sun, the moon, and the stars — (all) governed by laws under His commandment.” Qur’an 7:54

“It is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon. All (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its orbit.” Qur’an 21:33

“The sun and the moon follow courses exactly computed.” Qur’an 55:05
The Prophet’s Tradition (peace be upon him)
After prayed (salatul-kusuf) our imam (the leader of prayer) explained about solar eclipse. He told, the animist believed that solar eclipse was caused by the giant who ate the sun. We laughed hearing that. How could like that? I asked my son, “Do you believe that story?” He smiled at me and shook his head. “That’s only a tale! We have guidance (Qur’an) and we are asked to perform prayer during that time.

Imam continued his khutbah (sermon), during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there was a solar eclipse on the day that his son Ibrahim died.

Some superstitious people said that the sun eclipsed because of the young child’s death and the Prophet’s sadness on that day. The Prophet corrected their understanding:
And the following are what hadith says about solar or lunar eclipses.

Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba: On the day of Ibrahim’s death, the sun eclipsed and the people said that the eclipse was due to the death of Ibrahim (the son of the Prophet). Allah’s Apostle said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of someone’s death or life. So when you see them, invoke Allah and pray till the eclipse is clear.”

Reasons why Muslims should perform the prayer during an eclipse
• An eclipse is a sign of the majesty and power of Allah.
Narrated Abu Masud: The Prophet 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.”

• An eclipse is a reminder of the Day of Judgment.
Narrated Abu Musa: The sun eclipsed and the Prophet got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment). He went to the Mosque and offered a 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.”

How the Prayer is Performed
• The eclipse prayer is offered in congregation.
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr: When the sun eclipsed in the life-time of Allah’s Apostle an announcement was made that a prayer was to be offered in congregation.

• The eclipse prayer is two rakats (cycles of prayer).
Narrated Abu Bakr: In the life-time of the Prophet the sun eclipsed and then he offered a two Rakat prayer.
• Each rakat of the eclipse prayer has two bowings and two prostrations (for a total of four).
Narrated Aisha: The Prophet led us and performed four bowings in two Rakat during the solar eclipse, and the first Raka was longer.
Narrated ‘Aisha: In the life-time of Allah’s Apostle, the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second Raka as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa (charity).”

Before performing prayer, Imam also guided us how to perform this prayer, because it’s different with prayers those we usually do in each day. He explained like hadith above.

I also guided my son about it. It was the first time he followed and prayed salatul-kusuf. While for me, it was the second time during my life. Long time ago, I did it when I was child and my father as Imam. But, in that time was a lunar eclipse and we prayed after Isya prayer.

Alhamdulillah, Muslims continue the tradition of praying during an eclipse, as a reminder that Allah has power over all things, in the heavens and on earth.

May Allah forgive us and guide us to His right path, the path of those upon whom Allah has bestowed favor!
Ameen!

References:

Qur’an

Kutbah from Imam

Qur’an hadith