Whenever there is an eclipse of sun or moon, a lot is written, mostly the expression of superstitions and their bad effect on man and the surroundings. In many cultures, people are forbidden to go out at the time of eclipse. even pregnant women are forbidden to go out, lest the eclipse effects the fetus.
Although, many Muslims are to obsessed with the effects of eclipses, all this is superstition which has nothing to do with Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says that the eclipse is a phenomenon that God has created. It does not happen for any human being's birth or death. He has taught us to offer a certain prayer during the eclipse, which is very special in its form and length.
Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated that Ibn Mas’ud al-Ansari said: the sun was eclipsed the day Ibrahim, the son of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) died, and the people said, The sun is eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The sun and the moon are two signs from Allah, and they do not become eclipsed for the death or the birth of anyone. If you see that, hasten to remember Allah and to pray.
The revered wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying:
In the life-time of Allah's Apostle Muhammad ﷺ 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 against 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." The Prophet then said, "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (self-respect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much.
In another Hadith, Abu Bakr narrates:
We were with Allah's Apostle when the sun eclipsed. Allah's Apostle stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque. He led us in a two-Rakat prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared. Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone's death. So whenever you see these eclipses pray and invoke (Allah) till the eclipse is over."
Aforementioned Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we should take eclipses as signs of Allah, which happen due to rotations of sun, earth and moon, and are part of normal celestial movements. These do not happen as a warning for a forthcoming calamity or death to someone. All we should do is remember Allah in such times and ask forgiveness. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is said to have led a four rakat prayer cycle, called Salat al-Kusuf as has been mention in the above referred hadiths.
“And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate yourselves not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate yourselves to Allah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.” (Fussilat 41:37)
The eclipse prayer, Salat al-Kusuf, is an obligatory sunnah whenever there is an eclipse of the sun. [It is agreed that the Solar Eclipse prayer is a confirmed sunnah. There is disagreement about the lunar eclipse. The two famous positions are that the lunar eclipse prayer is recommended as al-Ujhuri stated.
Please watch an informative video by Mufti Menk on solar eclipse:
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.
Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
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1 comments:
As quoted and to be read with Hadith and other allied material on the subject, it is concluded very visibly that these are Ayats of Allah Almighty and have no effect on death or birth. Considering so is shirk. However, when ever you see these signs do zikar of Allah Almighty. Subhan Allahi Wabihamdihi. Allaho Akbar. Today on 8 April 2024 some special effect has been reported in certain countries. So say that Allah is the Possessor of all greatness. Kindly bury the all superstitious stories.
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