Benefits of the Hadith on the Solar Eclipse
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The Shaykh : In this hadith, there is evidence for the sermon after the eclipse prayer. Is it one of the occasional sermons or one of the regular sermons? There are two opinions among the scholars. The reason for the scholars' disagreement is that the eclipse occurred only once during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and on that occasion he delivered a sermon. Did he deliver the sermon for the occasion of the death of Ibrahim (may Allah be pleased with him) to clarify the corruption of belief among the Arabs, or did he deliver it because of the importance of the matter? The second opinion is the correct one. For this reason, we say that it is a recommended practice (sunnah) to deliver a sermon in the eclipse prayer, but it is after the prayer. It was after the prayer so that the time would not be missed and the eclipse would clear before he prayed. The prayer in the eclipse is more important, so he prays, then he delivers the sermon. The sermon should be eloquent and impactful, as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that when the eclipse occurs, four things are ordered: supplication, takbir (saying Allahu akbar), prayer, and charity. But is the takbir like the takbir of the festival—Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illa Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillah al-hamd—or is it a single takbir not accompanied by anything else? The apparent view is the second one.
And is it said aloud or does the person say it in secret?
Saying it aloud is undoubtedly more awe-inspiring and more eloquent. For example, people pass by to the mosque while they are saying Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. Undoubtedly, this stirs the emotions and creates awe. But I do not know, up to this moment, that the Companions were saying the takbir aloud. However, it could be said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the takbir after the end of the eclipse. Did the Companions say the takbir aloud if the eclipse occurred? This requires evidence.
Also in this hadith is the terrifying sermon that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is jealous, and His jealousy is greater than any jealousy, that His slave commits zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) or that His female slave commits zina. In this is a eloquent warning against zina, not just for men but for women as well. For this reason, our Lord (Mighty and Majestic) said: and He did not say "do not commit zina," meaning stay away from zina as much as you can, because zina—we ask Allah to protect us and you from it—is more severe in that Allah is jealous. No one is more jealous than Allah that His slave commits zina or that His female slave commits zina.
The causes of this ugly, abominable act in our present age are many. There is in the newspapers, in the magazines, in the satellite channels what calls to zina with intense urging, and I seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, it calls to liwat (sodomy), as some people told us that they saw on the satellite channels men committing liwat with one another. We ask Allah for well-being. This indicates the ugliness of these actions, and that it is obligatory for us, the students of knowledge, to warn people against them, and that we clarify in all our gatherings that the matter is serious and great.
In this hadith is also the affirmation of jealousy for Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The affirmation of jealousy is a real attribute established for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), but it is greater than our jealousy and more eloquent. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said when Sa'd ibn Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I find a man with my family, so I go to seek four witnesses! By Allah, I will strike him with the sword, not sheathed," meaning he strikes him with the edge, not sheathed. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then Allah sent down relief that those who accuse their wives are not treated like the others, but li'an (mutual oath-swearing) is carried out between them. In it is also the strength and patience of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), where he said: Muwatta Malik 12:1 In another narration in other than the two Sahihs, Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2312 And all this while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was patient and knowledgeable about it, but Allah the Exalted gave him great patience, strength, and courage. May Allah send prayers and peace upon him.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that when the eclipse occurs, four things are ordered: supplication, takbir (saying Allahu akbar), prayer, and charity. But is the takbir like the takbir of the festival—Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illa Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillah al-hamd—or is it a single takbir not accompanied by anything else? The apparent view is the second one.
And is it said aloud or does the person say it in secret?
Saying it aloud is undoubtedly more awe-inspiring and more eloquent. For example, people pass by to the mosque while they are saying Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. Undoubtedly, this stirs the emotions and creates awe. But I do not know, up to this moment, that the Companions were saying the takbir aloud. However, it could be said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the takbir after the end of the eclipse. Did the Companions say the takbir aloud if the eclipse occurred? This requires evidence.
Also in this hadith is the terrifying sermon that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is jealous, and His jealousy is greater than any jealousy, that His slave commits zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) or that His female slave commits zina. In this is a eloquent warning against zina, not just for men but for women as well. For this reason, our Lord (Mighty and Majestic) said:
And do not approach fornication.
ولا تقربوا الزناThe causes of this ugly, abominable act in our present age are many. There is in the newspapers, in the magazines, in the satellite channels what calls to zina with intense urging, and I seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, it calls to liwat (sodomy), as some people told us that they saw on the satellite channels men committing liwat with one another. We ask Allah for well-being. This indicates the ugliness of these actions, and that it is obligatory for us, the students of knowledge, to warn people against them, and that we clarify in all our gatherings that the matter is serious and great.
In this hadith is also the affirmation of jealousy for Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The affirmation of jealousy is a real attribute established for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), but it is greater than our jealousy and more eloquent. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said when Sa'd ibn Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I find a man with my family, so I go to seek four witnesses! By Allah, I will strike him with the sword, not sheathed," meaning he strikes him with the edge, not sheathed. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: