The Most Authentic Account of the Manner of the Eclipse Prayer

Q: It is reported in the hadith of Ibn Abbas that he prayed (eight rak'ahs in four prostrations), and from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) the same, and from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) (he prayed six rak'ahs in four prostrations). These hadiths were authenticated by Imam Muslim and included in his Sahih, and were authenticated by Ishaq ibn Rahawayh, Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Sabghi, al-Khatib, and others. Others criticized them, arguing that the eclipse did not occur during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) except once—as you know—so what is your opinion, Your Eminence, and is it established that the eclipse did not occur during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) except once?

A: The most authentic account regarding the eclipse prayer is what the two Shaykhs, al-Bukhari and Muslim, agreed upon in their Sahihs, namely that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed it in two rak'ahs when the sun was eclipsed on the day his son Ibrahim died, with two recitations, two bowings, and two prostrations in each rak'ah. This is the most authentic view among the meticulous scholars of knowledge, and anything beyond that is an error by some narrators or an anomalous report; because what is preserved from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is that he only prayed the eclipse prayer once, on the day his son Ibrahim died. So some people thought it was eclipsed because of his death, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed them that the sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Allah, and they do not eclipse for the death of anyone or for their life, but rather Allah sends them to frighten His servants, remind them, and warn them. May Allah grant success.