How is fear instilled during the lunar and solar eclipses, and what is your opinion regarding the actions of astronomers in observing the time of the eclipse months before it occurs and announcing it to the people, which removes this wisdom? And what is your opinion of the statement that the lunar and solar eclipses are natural phenomena?
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The questioner : The honorable Shaykh speaks about the topic of the lunar and solar eclipses, stating that they are a sign from Allah to instill fear in the servants and remind them of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) so that they may avoid the sins they commit day and night. The astronomers have come to say that it is a natural event that occurs once a year or more in a specific manner, and that these planets... and that they calculate the duration or when that lunar or solar eclipse will occur. So how is fear instilled? They also announce it, whether in newspapers or otherwise. When it happens, people do not fear and do not take a lesson, and they become desensitized. So what is your opinion of this, and how is fear instilled in this sign?
The Shaykh : Yes, fear is instilled in this sign for the one whose faith in Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and in what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said is complete. The solar or lunar eclipse has two causes: a natural cause that is perceived by the senses and calculation, so this is known to the people of calculation, and they know it and estimate it to the minute; and a religious cause that is not known except through the path of revelation, which is that Allah decrees this thing to instill fear in the servants. So we ask: Who decreed the natural cause so that the solar or lunar eclipse occurred? Who? Allah. Why? So that people would fear and be cautious. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out when he saw the sun eclipsed. He went out in a state of alarm until he caught up with his cloak and began dragging it, and the people were alarmed. He ordered someone to call, "The prayer is gathered," and the Muslims gathered in one mosque, supplicating to Allah and seeking refuge in Him. So the true believer is alarmed, but the one whose mind is desensitized or whose faith is weak does not care about this matter. As for informing people of it before it occurs, I see that it is not befitting for them to be informed of it, because if they are informed, they prepare for it as if it were a prayer of desire, as if they are preparing for the festival prayer, and it comes to them in a state of preparation, preparation for the act rather than in fear. But if it happens suddenly, there is a degree of awe and fear that does not occur for the one who was aware of it. I give you an example of a tangible matter: if you step down from a threshold while you are prepared and alert, and you know that there is a threshold under you, are you affected by the thing? But if you were heedless and did not know, and then you fell on this threshold, it would have an effect on your heart and an effect on you. So for this reason, I hope that it is not mentioned or spread among people. Even if it is published in newspapers, do not spread it among people. Let the people be until the matter comes to them while they are not prepared for it and not alert to it, so that it may have a greater impact on the souls. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, fear is instilled in this sign for the one whose faith in Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and in what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said is complete. The solar or lunar eclipse has two causes: a natural cause that is perceived by the senses and calculation, so this is known to the people of calculation, and they know it and estimate it to the minute; and a religious cause that is not known except through the path of revelation, which is that Allah decrees this thing to instill fear in the servants. So we ask: Who decreed the natural cause so that the solar or lunar eclipse occurred? Who? Allah. Why? So that people would fear and be cautious. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out when he saw the sun eclipsed. He went out in a state of alarm until he caught up with his cloak and began dragging it, and the people were alarmed. He ordered someone to call, "The prayer is gathered," and the Muslims gathered in one mosque, supplicating to Allah and seeking refuge in Him. So the true believer is alarmed, but the one whose mind is desensitized or whose faith is weak does not care about this matter. As for informing people of it before it occurs, I see that it is not befitting for them to be informed of it, because if they are informed, they prepare for it as if it were a prayer of desire, as if they are preparing for the festival prayer, and it comes to them in a state of preparation, preparation for the act rather than in fear. But if it happens suddenly, there is a degree of awe and fear that does not occur for the one who was aware of it. I give you an example of a tangible matter: if you step down from a threshold while you are prepared and alert, and you know that there is a threshold under you, are you affected by the thing? But if you were heedless and did not know, and then you fell on this threshold, it would have an effect on your heart and an effect on you. So for this reason, I hope that it is not mentioned or spread among people. Even if it is published in newspapers, do not spread it among people. Let the people be until the matter comes to them while they are not prepared for it and not alert to it, so that it may have a greater impact on the souls. Yes.