The Green Islamic Foundation

In this Ramadan 1445 AH, we are anticipating a solar eclipse. On the last Friday of this Ramadan, April 5^th, 2024, the  northeast of the United States of America (USA) experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake with equally felt aftershocks. This Ramadan has been rife with planetary events. Earlier in the  month of Ramadan, we also witnessed a lunar eclipse. The astronomical definition of a solar eclipse is when the new moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, blocking the Sun’s rays and casting a shadow on parts of the Earth. The next solar eclipse will occur in the western hemisphere and can be witnessed across central and north America. Depending on one’s location, the eclipse will either be a total solar eclipse in which the moon will completely cover the Sun or a partial eclipse in which the moon covers only part of the disc of the sun. To witness the total solar eclipse, one would have to be in an area in the path of the eclipse. During eclipses the sun, moon and the earth are in alignment with each other.

Such astronomical events are extraordinary. They do not occur every day. It is normal to overhear superstitions and tales about the significance and reasons for eclipses. In Islam, we understand for these events to simply be signs of Allah. The following has been reported in Sahih Al Bukhari regarding eclipses,

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَعْمَرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، قَالَ خَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَخَرَجَ يَجُرُّ رِدَاءَهُ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ، وَثَابَ النَّاسُ إِلَيْهِ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، فَانْجَلَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ، وَإِنَّهُمَا لاَ يَخْسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ، وَإِذَا كَانَ ذَاكَ فَصَلُّوا وَادْعُوا حَتَّى يُكْشَفَ مَا بِكُمْ ‏”‏‏.‏ وَذَاكَ أَنَّ ابْنًا لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَاتَ، يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ، فَقَالَ النَّاسُ فِي ذَاكَ‏.‏

Narrated Abu Bakra: In the lifetime of the Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) the sun eclipsed, and he went out dragging his clothes till he reached the Mosque. The people gathered around him, and he led them and offered two rak`at. When the sun (eclipse) cleared, he said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse because of the death of someone, and so when an eclipse occurs, pray and invoke Allah till the eclipse is over.” It happened that a son of the Prophet (ﷺ) called Ibrahim died on that day and the people were talking about that (saying that the eclipse was caused by his death).

Sahih al-Bukhari 1063

https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1063

This hadith, for me, exemplifies the honesty and trustworthiness of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The context for this hadith is that the solar eclipse occurred on the day that his son Ibrahim, may Allah be pleased with him, passed away. Some in the community of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were attributing the death of his son ﷺ as a cause for the eclipse. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ at this exceedingly difficult time in his life decided to dispel the superstitions and rumors, setting the record straight as to what his community were witnessing, how they should understand it and what they should do in response to it. According to the teachings of Islam, as presented in the above hadith, when an eclipse occurs, Muslims are recommended to pray. There are two main types of eclipses, the solar eclipse, and the lunar eclipse. There is a specific and unique recommended prayer to be performed for each of these events. According to the Maliki school, the solar eclipse prayer (Salatul kusoof) is performed as such:

1. In the first standing, one recites approximately for the duration of Suratul Baqarah.
2. Then the worshipper bows in ruku’
3. The worshipper then stands saying  “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears the one who praises him).
4. While standing in this second standing, the worshipper then recites approximately for the duration of Suratul Imran.
5. Then the worshipper bows in ruku’ a second time.
6. Then the worshipper stands in the third standing saying “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears the one who praises him) alone with no further recitations.
7. Then the worshipper prostrates in the sajda position twice as in normal prayer, prostrating, sitting, then prostrating.
8. The worshipper then stands for the second rakat in which the recitation is approximately the duration of Suratun Nisa.
9. Then the worshipper bows in ruku
10. The worshipper stands in the fifth standing saying Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears the one who praises him).
11. While standing in the fifth standing, worshipper recites approximately for the duration of Suratul Ma’idah.
12. Then the worshipper bows in ruku
13. Then the worshipper stands for a sixth time reciting Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears the one who praises him) alone with no further recitation.
14. The worshipper then prostrates again then sits and prostrates then rises to the sitting position to make the tashahhud and end the prayer with a Taslim in the normal way.

For the solar eclipse prayer, no adhan or iqama is called. The prayer is generally prayed in congregation at the masjid; however, it is permissible to pray it alone in one’s home. The prayer should be performed during the entire eclipse. The prayer is only two rakat with additional bowings (ruku’) in each rakat. All of the recitation of the Quran is done silently. After the solar eclipse prayer, the Imam or masjid representative can give a small informal khutbah or address to the people.

The lunar eclipse prayer (Salatul khusoof) is performed much differently from the solar eclipse prayer. It is prayed individually at home. Prayer consists of a continual two rakat set of prayers until the eclipse is over. The recitation of the Quran during the prayer is to be done aloud.

For further information regarding when and where you can see the solar eclipse in your particular area. I suggest the following link to help you and your community prepare for this blessed event, https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2024-april-8#@25.293,-104.146,3&pin=@26.048796314542514,-25.839843750000004