The Manner of the Eclipse Prayer
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Q: What is the manner of the prayer for the solar and lunar eclipses, is there a difference between them, and what is Your Eminence’s opinion regarding what is published in the newspapers about the beginning and end of the lunar and solar eclipses?
A: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) explained the manner of the eclipse prayer in authentic hadiths, and he commanded that it be announced with the phrase: "The prayer is a congregation."
The most authentic report regarding its manner is that the imam leads the people in two rak'ahs, with two recitations, two bowings, and two prostrations in each rak'ah. He lengthens the recitation, bowing, and prostration in them. The first recitation is longer than the second, and the first bowing is longer than the second. Likewise, the recitation in the second rak'ah is shorter than the second recitation in the first rak'ah, and the bowing in the second rak'ah is lighter than the two bowings in the first. Likewise, the second recitation in the second rak'ah is lighter than the first recitation in it, and the second bowing in it is lighter than the first bowing in it.
As for the two prostrations in the two rak'ahs, it is recommended to lengthen them in a way that does not burden the people, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did so. Then, after the prayer, it is prescribed for the imam, if he has knowledge, to preach to the people, remind them, and inform them that the solar and lunar eclipses are two signs among the signs of Allah, by which Allah frightens His servants. It is prescribed for Muslims at that time to pray, and to increase in remembrance, supplication, glorification of Allah, freeing slaves, and giving charity until the affliction is lifted. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): In another narration: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1483Hasan (Darussalam). And in some hadiths, there is a command to give charity and free slaves.
As for the reports of the astronomers regarding the times of the eclipse, they are not to be relied upon. A group of scholars have explicitly stated this, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his student, the scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on them both). This is because they sometimes make mistakes in their calculations. Therefore, it is not permissible to rely on them, and it is not prescribed for anyone to perform the eclipse prayer based on their statements. The eclipse prayer is only prescribed when the eclipse occurs and is observed.
Therefore, the ministries of media should prevent the publication of the astronomers' reports on the times of the eclipse, so that some people are not misled by their reports. Also, because publishing their reports may diminish the impact of the eclipse in the hearts of the people. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) only decreed it to frighten the people and remind them, so that they may remember Him, fear Him, supplicate to Him, and do good to His servants. And success is from Allah.
A: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) explained the manner of the eclipse prayer in authentic hadiths, and he commanded that it be announced with the phrase: "The prayer is a congregation."
The most authentic report regarding its manner is that the imam leads the people in two rak'ahs, with two recitations, two bowings, and two prostrations in each rak'ah. He lengthens the recitation, bowing, and prostration in them. The first recitation is longer than the second, and the first bowing is longer than the second. Likewise, the recitation in the second rak'ah is shorter than the second recitation in the first rak'ah, and the bowing in the second rak'ah is lighter than the two bowings in the first. Likewise, the second recitation in the second rak'ah is lighter than the first recitation in it, and the second bowing in it is lighter than the first bowing in it.
As for the two prostrations in the two rak'ahs, it is recommended to lengthen them in a way that does not burden the people, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did so. Then, after the prayer, it is prescribed for the imam, if he has knowledge, to preach to the people, remind them, and inform them that the solar and lunar eclipses are two signs among the signs of Allah, by which Allah frightens His servants. It is prescribed for Muslims at that time to pray, and to increase in remembrance, supplication, glorification of Allah, freeing slaves, and giving charity until the affliction is lifted. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Indeed, the sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse for the death of anyone or for his life, but Allah sends them to frighten His servants. So when you see that, pray and supplicate until the affliction is lifted.
إن الشمس والقمر آيتان من آيات الله لا ينكسفان لموت أحد ولا لحياته ولكن الله يرسلهما يخوف بهما عباده فإذا رأيتم ذلك فصلوا وادعوا حتى ينكشف ما بكمIf you see that then hasted to remember Allah (SWT) and pray.
فإذا رأيتم ذلك فافزعوا إلى ذكر الله ودعائه واستغفارهAs for the reports of the astronomers regarding the times of the eclipse, they are not to be relied upon. A group of scholars have explicitly stated this, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his student, the scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on them both). This is because they sometimes make mistakes in their calculations. Therefore, it is not permissible to rely on them, and it is not prescribed for anyone to perform the eclipse prayer based on their statements. The eclipse prayer is only prescribed when the eclipse occurs and is observed.
Therefore, the ministries of media should prevent the publication of the astronomers' reports on the times of the eclipse, so that some people are not misled by their reports. Also, because publishing their reports may diminish the impact of the eclipse in the hearts of the people. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) only decreed it to frighten the people and remind them, so that they may remember Him, fear Him, supplicate to Him, and do good to His servants. And success is from Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.