Lunar Eclipse on 5/26 ~2am-6am

On the morning of Wednesday, May 26th, a Lunar Eclipse will start to occur at 1:47am (PT) and will continue until 5:45am (PT)[1]. This is when the shadow of the physical disc of the earth blocks and eclipses the physical disc of the moon [as opposed to the shadow of the moon covering the earth during a solar eclipse]. Unlike a solar eclipse which is extremely dangerous to view, a lunar eclipse is safe to look at.

We know that a solar eclipse occurred once during the lifetime of our Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ. However, we do not have any explicit reports about a lunar eclipse occurring during the lifetime of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ. However, we can learn from what our Messenger ﷺ did during a solar eclipse and apply the same mindset and guidance.

So what did he ﷺ teach us to do? First, rush to prayer[2]. Ideally, one should pray 2 long units on their own[3], extending the recitation, bowing, prostration, and remembrance of God as much as possible[4]. If our communities hold a congregational prayer, that is beneficial as well[5]. One’s prayer should ideally last the duration of the eclipse[6]. If the eclipse has not ended by the time the prayer is over, it is best to continue making duʿāʾ, praying to God ﷻ, and continuing say words of praise (dhikr) until the eclipse finishes[7].

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[8]. 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[9]. It is also a time for us to engage in charitable works, especially helping those in need[10].

  1. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/@11071615 ↑
  2. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: Kitāb al-Kusūf Bāb al-Ṣalāh fī Kusūf al-Shams ↑
  3. This is according to the Ḥanafīs. The other schools (Mālikīs, Shāfiʿīs, and Ḥanbalīs) recommend praying together in congregation. Also, it should be noted that the other schools perform the eclipse prayer with two consecutive bows (rukūʿ) as opposed to just one. ↑
  4. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: Kitāb al-Kusūf Bāb al-Ṣadaqah fī al-Kusūf ↑
  5. This is according to the Mālikīs, Shāfiʿīs, and Ḥanbalīs. That is because the Prophet ﷺ prayed the Solar Eclipse Prayer (Ṣalāh al-Kusūf) in congregation. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: Kitāb al-Kusūf Bāb al-Ṣalāh fī Kusūf Jamāʿah ↑
  6. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: Kitāb al-Kusūf Bāb al-Ṣalāh fī Kusūf al-Shams. In our case however, the eclipse will continue through the time of Fajr. So one should end their eclipse prayer at an appropriate time that would not take away from praying the two Sunnah and two Farḍ of Fajr. ↑
  7. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: Kitāb al-Kusūf Bāb al-Dhikr fī al-Kusūf ↑
  8. Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ #912 ↑
  9. Ibid ↑
  10. Al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ: Kitāb al-Kusūf Bāb al-Ṣadaqah fī al-Kusūf ↑