Observing the Solar and Lunar Eclipses by Calculation and the Prayer for the Eclipse

Question:
The questioner asks about the solar and lunar eclipses, and whether they can be determined by calculation, and what is your esteemed opinion of the one who says that it will occur at such and such an hour and minute, and specifies it precisely?

Answer:
The lunar and solar eclipses can be determined by calculation. This is a known matter that is determined by calculation, and its time and duration are known, because this arises from the movement of the sun and the moon, and their conjunction and separation. This is a known thing.
And this is not from the knowledge of the unseen, because this is determined by calculation, and the knowledge of the unseen cannot be determined by calculation. This is a tested matter, and the scholars have stated it, such as Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and others. However, this does not affect the prescription of the prayer during the solar and lunar eclipse, because this is an act of worship whose time is that of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), so it is performed. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you see that of them, pray and supplicate until it is cleared from you." And when the sun was eclipsed during his time (peace and blessings be upon him), he went out dragging his cloak, fearing that it might be the Hour, then he prayed the prayer for the eclipse with his companions. This is what is prescribed.
Likewise, it is not befitting to boast by displaying this to the people. The scholars used to know it from long ago, and they did not announce it; they did not announce it before it occurred, even though they knew it better than these people and more precisely than these people, but they did not announce it to the people or boast with it, because this might make it easy in the minds of the common people, or even lead them to say, "What is the use of the prayer? What is the use of the prayer for the eclipse? Since it is known by calculation, why is the prayer for the eclipse performed?" Look at how ignorance means that it is not befitting to announce this thing to the people. May this be prevented for the sake of the people so that they are not confused. Yes, and let the solar and lunar eclipse be more awe-inspiring in the hearts of the people. Yes.