Journal / Seminary Journals

Islamic Guide to Solar Eclipse Prayer and FAQs 2024

Fiqh (Law)
By Muddassir Mayet
IOK Seminary Graduate & Seminary Instructor
Published April 5, 2024

الحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين

اللهم اجعلنا منهم

With the Name of The One True God, Allāh, The Infinitely Caring, Eternally Compassionate. We sincerely praise and thank God to the highest extent, and ask Him to bless, protect, honor, and compliment our Prophet and Messenger Muḥammad, his family, his companions, and those that diligently follow them until the end of times. Dear God, please include us from amongst them.

On the morning of Monday, April 8th 2024, a solar eclipse will start to occur around 8:42 a.m. (PT) and will continue until around 1:52 p.m. (PT). It will be visible across Southern California. A solar eclipse is when the physical disc of the moon covers and eclipses the physical disc of the sun.[1] This is an extremely rare occurrence and is extremely dangerous to view.

For more eclipse related details, please see:

  1. NASA: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
  2. Time and Date: April 8, 2024 — Great North American Eclipse (Total Solar Eclipse)

Timings:[2]

Eclipse Stages Worldwide Local Time in Los Angeles
First location to see the partial eclipse begin Apr 8 at 8:42:15 am
First location to see the full eclipse begin Apr 8 at 9:38:52 am
Maximum Eclipse Apr 8 at 11:17:21 am
Last location to see the full eclipse end Apr 8 at 12:55:35 pm
Last location to see the partial eclipse end Apr 8 at 1:52:19 pm

Solar Eclipse from the Sunnah

We know that a solar eclipse occurred once during the lifetime of our Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ,[3] so let us see what he ﷺ said and did. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The sun and the moon are two of the many signs of Allāh. They do not eclipse on their own due to death or birth of anyone. So when you see an eclipse [do the following].”[4] In multiple other narrations, the Prophet ﷺ said, “rush to prayer out of fear (فَافْزَعُوا إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ)”. Here is a compilation of the multiple different actions the Prophet ﷺ encouraged his community to do upon seeing an eclipse:

  1. Pray to Allāh, make duʿāʾ, supplicate to Him (فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ)[5]
  2. Declare Allāh’s supremacy by saying “AllāhuAkbar” (وَكَبِّرُوا)[6]
  3. Pray the ritual prayer (وَصَلُّوا)[7]
  4. Donate (وَتَصَدَّقُوا)[8]
  5. Free slaves (بِالْعَتَاقَةِ)[9]
  6. Rush to remember and mention Allāh out of fear (فَافْزَعُوا إِلَى ذِكْرِهِ)[10]
  7. Seek Allāh’s forgiveness (وَاسْتِغْفَارِهِ)[11]

We should try to be in congregation at our local masjid for the Prayer of the Solar Eclipse (Ṣalāh Al-Kusūf). Ideally, the imām will lead the congregation in 2 very long units (rakʿatān) of prayer. If you are unable to pray in congregation, then try to pray 2 units on your own, and try to make them as long as possible. The prayer should ideally last the duration of the eclipse. If the eclipse has not ended by the time the prayer is over, proceed to make extra supplications (duʿāʾ) and remember and mention Allāh (dhikr) until the eclipse finishes.[12]

This should also be a time of fear and reflection. Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ had a heightened state of fear of Allāh ﷻ during the eclipse.[13] He ﷺ also reminded us that the sun and the moon are creations and indicators of God ﷻ, so when we see them (especially in such an intense state), we should remember Allāh and seek His Forgiveness.[14] It is also a time for us to engage in charitable works, especially helping those in need.[15]

We may be tempted to go outside and stare (with polarized glasses) at the eclipse, and that makes sense since this is a very rare sight. However, when it first starts, take a moment to (safely) look at it (if you must), and then act like the companion ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Samurah (raḍiya Allāh ʿanh[16]) who was practicing archery when he noticed the eclipse, and then decided to run the Prophet ﷺ to see how he ﷺ would act during such a situation.[17] If you are worried about “missing it”, do not worry, because NASA and Time and Date will have all the videos, pictures, and diagrams one could ask for.

Also, let us not forget the honor and rank given to our Prophet ﷺ during this incident. This was one of those special times that Allāh ﷻ chose to give His Beloved Messenger ﷺ a glimpse of the Hereafter.[18] Interestingly enough, when we read those narrations, the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said that he saw Heaven and tried to grab a cluster of grapes, and also saw The Fire. It is as if Allāh ﷻ opened up a literal portal into the Heavenly dimension for His Prophet ﷺ to enter. Yet, our dear Messenger ﷺ chose to (once again) stay with us, his ummah, hoping to continue guiding us and teaching us — because he ﷺ loves us and wants to meet us safe and sound in Paradise—, despite the endless bounties awaiting him ﷺ on the other side.

At the same time, this was an event of loss for our Prophet ﷺ. The death of his dear son, Ibrāhīm (raḍiya Allāh ʿanh), coincided with the eclipse. Because of that, some people felt reassured of their pagan belief that eclipses were, on their own, a cosmic sign of the birth and death of important people. However, our Prophet ﷺ taught us that this is not the case. As we mentioned before, he ﷺ said that they are simply indicators towards Allāh. So when we see them, remember Allāh and turn to Him. And during the eclipse, continue to pray until the eclipse ends. Again, look at how much our beloved Prophet ﷺ chose to care for us. He ﷺ did not isolate himself at this difficult moment. Rather, he ﷺ still stayed amongst his companions (raḍiya Allāh ʿanhum) to teach them, advise them, and guide them to what pleases Allāh ﷻ. What a Messenger we have, ﷺ!

We have a great opportunity before us to (briefly) witness a spectacular sight of the magnificence of Allāh ﷻ, and to follow a rare sunnah of our Prophet ﷺ.

The Ideal Solar Eclipse Prayer:[19]

  1. It should be prayed in congregation at the masjid
  2. It should last the duration of the eclipse
  3. Every step of the prayer (standing, recitation, bowing [rukūʾ], placing the forehead on the floor [sujūd]) should be very long
  4. An announcement should be made calling people to the masjid[20]

FAQs:

  1. Should a sermon (khuṭbah) be given?
    • No.[21] However a short reminder should be given because the Prophet ﷺ did so.[22]
  2. Should there be two sessions of recitation (qirāʾatān) and two bows (rukūʿ) performed in each unit?
    1. Short answer: there is a difference of opinion. Follow whatever your prayer leader (imām) does. If you are praying on your own, and do not feel comfortable with the eclipse prayer procedure, pray it like any normal two unit optional prayer. Note that the vast majority of scholars said that a standard two unit prayer (rakʿatān) with each unit (rakʿah) consisting of one standing (qiyām), one recitation (qirāʾah), one bow (rukūʿ), and two placements of the forehead on the floor (sajdah) will suffice.[23]
    2. Long answer:[24] the Mālikīs, Shāfiʿīs, and Ḥanbalīs (raḥimahum Allāh[25]) are of the opinion that the eclipse prayer is as follows: standing (qiyām) and recitation (qirāʾah),[26] bow (rukūʿ), another standing (qiyām) and recitation (qirāʾah),[27] another bow (rukūʿ), two placements of the forehead on the ground (sajdatayn) — repeat. This is based on the explicit aḥādīth of Ibn ʿAbbās (raḍiya Allāh ʿanhumā) found in Ṣaḥih Al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim. The Ḥanafīs (raḥimahum Allāh) are of the opinion that the eclipse prayer is prayed exactly like another optional two-unit (nafl) prayer without any extra additions. This is based on the implicit aḥādīth of Abū Bakrah (raḍiya Allāh ʿanh) found in Ṣaḥih Al-Bukhārī[28] and his explicit ḥadīth found in Sunan Al-Nasāʾī.[29]
  3. How many units (rakʿah) are to be prayed?
    • Two (2) units (rakʿatān)[30]
  4. What if the eclipse occurs during a time in which it is disliked or prohibited to pray?
    • Do not pray during the prohibited times (during sunrise, zenith, and sunset), nor the disliked times (after having prayed Fajr until sunrise, and after having prayed ʿAṣr until sunset).[31] These times are very short compared to eclipses, so they can easily be worked around. For example, the eclipse on 4/8/24 is well after sunrise, so there is no issue there. However, the zenith of the sun does occur during the eclipse. But it is towards the end of the eclipse. The prayer can safely be concluded before the zenith (i.e., when Ẓuhr enters), while still allowing for up-to 4 hours of time available for the eclipse prayer.
  5. How short or long does the prayer have to be?
    • Ideally the prayer should last from the start until the end of the eclipse.[32] However, it can be shorter. If the prayer is even 5, or 15, or 30 minutes, that is acceptable. The full duration of the eclipse is a little over 5 hours, which is not feasible for most people.[33] The full eclipse will last for 3 hours, but that will come into a prohibited prayer time, so see the question about this issue.
  6. Should the recitation be aloud or silent?
    1. Short answer: aloud.
    2. Long answer: there is a difference of opinion. Perhaps, despite the differences found among the Ṣaḥābah (companions - raḍiya Allāh ʿanhum), Tābiʿūn (students of the companions - raḥimahum Allāh), and Fuqahāʾ (jurists - raḥimahum Allāh), we can say that it would be better for the recitation to be aloud for the sake of the focus and devotion of the people praying.
      • Here is a brief summary of the discussion.[34] Al-Imām Abū Ḥanīfah, the Mālikīs, and the Shāfiʿīs (raḥimahum Allāh) are of the opinion that the recitation should be silent. That is because Ibn ʿAbbās (raḍiya Allāh ʿanhumā) said that, “the Prophet ﷺ led the solar eclipse prayer and we did not hear his recitation (فَلَمْ نَسْمَعْ لَهُ صَوْتًا).” Al-Imām Aḥmad, Al-Imām Abū Yusuf, and in a statement attributed to Al-Imām Mālik (raḥimahum Allāh) are of the opinion that the recitation should be aloud. That is beaucase that has been narrated from ʿAlī (raḍiya Allāh ʿanh), and ʿAbd Allāh ibn Zayd did that in the presence of Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib and Zayd ibn Arqam (raḍiya Allāh ʿanhumā). And it has also been narrated that ʿĀʾishah (raḍiya Allāh ʿanhā) said, “the Prophet ﷺ led the solar eclipse prayer and recited aloud (وَجَهَرَ فِيهَا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ).” And also due the fact that it is an extra option (nafl) prayer that is meant to be prayed in congregation (jamāʿah) and audible recitation is a recommended action (sunnah) of these prayers, like the seeking-of-rain (istisqāʾ).

Footnotes

  1. As opposed to the shadow of the earth blocking and eclipsing the physical disc of the moon from sunlight in a lunar eclipse
  2. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2024-april-8
  3. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف, Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف
  4. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف باب الصَّدَقَةِ فِي الْكُسُوفِ, Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف
  5. Ibid.
  6. Ibid.
  7. Ibid.
  8. Ibid.
  9. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف باب مَنْ أَحَبَّ الْعَتَاقَةَ فِي كُسُوفِ الشَّمْسِ
  10. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف باب الذِّكْرِ فِي الْكُسُوفِ, Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف
  11. Ibid.
  12. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف باب الذِّكْرِ فِي الْكُسُوفِ
  13. Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ #912
  14. Ibid
  15. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف باب الصَّدَقَةِ فِي الْكُسُوفِ
  16. May God be pleased with him
  17. Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف
  18. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف باب صَلاَةِ الْكُسُوفِ جَمَاعَةً
  19. Al-Mawsūʿah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaytiyyah v. 27 p. 254-5
  20. The Prophet ﷺ taught the companions to announce, “الصَّلاَة جَامِعَة - gather for prayer”. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف باب النِّدَاءِ بِالصَّلاَةُ جَامِعَةٌ فِي الْكُسُوفِ, Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف
  21. Al-Mawsūʿah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaytiyyah v. 27 p. 255-6
  22. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف, Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف
  23. Al-Mawsūʿah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaytiyyah v. 27 p. 256-7
  24. Ibid.
  25. May God have compassion on them
  26. Sūrah Al-Fātiḥah and another Sūrah
  27. Sūrah Al-Fātiḥah and another Sūrah
  28. There are at least 3 narrations like this in Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhārī
  29. فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَمَا يُصَلُّونَ, Al-Nasāʾī, Sunan: كتاب الكسوف باب الأَمْرِ بِالدُّعَاءِ فِي الْكُسُوفِ
  30. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف, Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف
  31. Al-Mawsūʿah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaytiyyah v. 27 p. 253-4
  32. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف, Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ: كتاب الكسوف
  33. Also, food for thought, this is the scientific start of the eclipse. It is possible that the Prophet ﷺ and the companions did not notice the eclipse from the scientific start, but rather 15, 30, or 60 minutes later, when the sight of the sky had a drastic change. This is just a thought of mine without any research. Allāh knows best.
  34. Al-Mawsūʿah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaytiyyah v. 27 p. 257
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