A third night ago, there was lunar eclipse in my part of the world. I was asleep and was woken up by a family member. She walked in and out of the room several times even touching me the last time. Her understanding of an eclipse is that the world would end if the moon does not clear by midnight.
This triggered my need to spread the little I know and hope by Allah that it makes an impact.
Eclipse either solar or lunar are a sign of Allah's majesty and they should remind Muslims of the Power of Allah to do whatever He desires.
During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), there was a solar eclipse. It occurred on the day the Prophet's son, Ibrahim, died. Some people thought it occurred because of the son's death. The Prophet (SAW), however, said to his people,
"The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allaah; they do not become eclipsed for the death or life of anyone. If you see that then call upon Allaah and magnify Him, and pray, and give in charity.” Bukhari
When the eclipse started, the Prophet ordered for call to Salatul Jami'ah and led a congregational prayer after which he offered a sermon.
NATURE OF THE ECLIPSE PRAYER
The Eclipse prayer is also called Salaatul Khusuf. It is a 2 unit prayer with 2 ruku'u, 2 Qiyaam, and 2 sujood.
People gather at the mosque without any call to prayer or iqamah but a call can be made in he form of "Assalatu Jami'ah" as is seen when the Prophet ordered for a call to "Assalatu Jami'ah."
If the eclipse clears while the prayer is going on, it should be changed into a normal nafl (optional) prayer. There is no harm if the Imam offers a sermon after the prayer as the Prophet (SAW) was reported to have offered a sermon after he performed the prayer.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), commanded someone to call out “al-salaatu jaami’ah (prayer is about to begin)”, and he led the people in prayer. Then he addressed them and explained to them the reason for the eclipse, and declared their jaahili beliefs to be null and void. He explained to them what they should do, such as praying and making du’a and giving in charity.
It was reported from Aisha (R.A) that the Prophet (SAW) stood up and said the takbir and the people stood up behind him. He recited (the Qur'an) for a very long time and then went into ruku'u, it was a very long ruku' and then he said, "sami'allah liman hamida, rabbana wa lakal hamd." Then he stood up and recited (the Qur'an) for a very long time but not as long as the first time. He then said the takbir and went into ruku'. The ruku' was not as long as the first one. Then he said, "sami'allahu limah hamida, Rabbana wa lakal hamd." Then he went into sujood, both the first and second sujood were long. And that was how he performed the second raka'a. Then the eclipse cleared. And the Prophet said to the people,
"The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allaah; they do not become eclipsed for the death or life of anyone. If you see that then hasten to prayer." Bukhari.
The Prayer of both the Solar and Lunar Eclipse are the same. However, some scholars say that the Lunar Eclipse is similar to any other nafl (optional) prayer in the sense that each person should pray individually in his own house and not in congregation because the Prophet did not perform it in congregation like he did during the solar eclipse. But the most accepted view is that whoever wishes should perform it in congregation and whoever wishes, can perform it individually. Wallahu a'alam.(Allah knows best.)
The Prayer was explained to me by one of the scholars in my area, who took the time to write it down. Please pray form him as you read. May Allah (SWT) answer our prayers and guide us on to the right path.Ameen.
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