The Manner of the Eclipse Prayer
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
The questioner asks Your Eminence about the eclipse prayer: how many units of prayer does it consist of?
Answer:
The eclipse prayer is a confirmed recommended practice. When the sun or the moon is eclipsed, it is prescribed for Muslims to pray the eclipse prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained it through his actions and his words. The recommended practice is to pray two units with two recitations, two bowings, and two prostrations. This is the recommended practice that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed. One says the opening takbir and recites a long recitation after the opening, then bows and prolongs the bowing, then stands up and recites al-Fatihah and whatever is easy after it, prolonging it but less than the first recitation. Then he bows and prolongs it, but less than the first bowing. Then he stands up and prolongs it, but less than the first standing. Then he prostrates two long prostrations. Then he stands up and recites, prolonging it, but less than the previous recitation. Then he bows and prolongs it, but less than the previous bowing. Then he stands up and recites al-Fatihah and whatever is easy with it, prolonging it but less than what came before. Then he bows and prolongs it, but less than what came before. Then he bows after the second bowing and prolongs it somewhat less than what came before. Then he prostrates two long prostrations. Then he recites the tashahhud, the salutations, and the prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and makes supplication. Then he says the closing salam.
Then he reminds the people, preaches to them, and explains to them the legitimacy of the eclipse prayer. He reminds them of Allah and orders them to increase in saying takbir when they see the eclipse, giving charity, freeing slaves, and praying. This is based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): So he ordered takbir and freeing slaves during the eclipse (peace and blessings be upon him).
So the recommended practice for Muslims during an eclipse is to increase in the remembrance of Allah, saying takbir, seeking forgiveness, giving charity, and freeing slaves.
The prayer that he (peace and blessings be upon him) performed and ordered consists of two recitations, two bowings, and two prostrations. Each recitation is shorter than the one before it, and each bowing is shorter than the one before it. One should prolong the prostrations in a way that does not burden the followers, not burdening the people according to their ability and ease. However, it is a prayer distinguished from others by its length, out of fear of Allah and magnification of Him. For the Messenger said:, and he said: , and in the other wording: As-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Nasa'i 9:29.
And he ordered takbir during the eclipse, and freeing slaves, and giving charity. So it is prescribed for the believer, and likewise for the believing woman, to pray, give charity, seek forgiveness, and increase in remembrance when they see the eclipse. The call is made for it: "The prayer is gathered." It is called out on the minarets, or through the loudspeakers: "The prayer is gathered... The prayer is gathered." It is repeated two, three, or more times until the people are informed. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that it be called out: "The prayer is gathered." Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
The questioner asks Your Eminence about the eclipse prayer: how many units of prayer does it consist of?
Answer:
The eclipse prayer is a confirmed recommended practice. When the sun or the moon is eclipsed, it is prescribed for Muslims to pray the eclipse prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained it through his actions and his words. The recommended practice is to pray two units with two recitations, two bowings, and two prostrations. This is the recommended practice that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed. One says the opening takbir and recites a long recitation after the opening, then bows and prolongs the bowing, then stands up and recites al-Fatihah and whatever is easy after it, prolonging it but less than the first recitation. Then he bows and prolongs it, but less than the first bowing. Then he stands up and prolongs it, but less than the first standing. Then he prostrates two long prostrations. Then he stands up and recites, prolonging it, but less than the previous recitation. Then he bows and prolongs it, but less than the previous bowing. Then he stands up and recites al-Fatihah and whatever is easy with it, prolonging it but less than what came before. Then he bows and prolongs it, but less than what came before. Then he bows after the second bowing and prolongs it somewhat less than what came before. Then he prostrates two long prostrations. Then he recites the tashahhud, the salutations, and the prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and makes supplication. Then he says the closing salam.
Then he reminds the people, preaches to them, and explains to them the legitimacy of the eclipse prayer. He reminds them of Allah and orders them to increase in saying takbir when they see the eclipse, giving charity, freeing slaves, and praying. This is based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
When you see that, pray and make supplication, and turn to the remembrance of Allah, His supplication, and seeking His forgiveness.
إذا رأيتم ذلك فصلوا وادعوا، فافزعوا إلى ذكر الله ودعائه واستغفارهSo the recommended practice for Muslims during an eclipse is to increase in the remembrance of Allah, saying takbir, seeking forgiveness, giving charity, and freeing slaves.
The prayer that he (peace and blessings be upon him) performed and ordered consists of two recitations, two bowings, and two prostrations. Each recitation is shorter than the one before it, and each bowing is shorter than the one before it. One should prolong the prostrations in a way that does not burden the followers, not burdening the people according to their ability and ease. However, it is a prayer distinguished from others by its length, out of fear of Allah and magnification of Him. For the Messenger said:
Indeed, Allah sends the eclipse to frighten His servants.
إن الله يرسل الكسوف تخويفًا لعبادهIndeed, the sun and the moon do not eclipse for the death of anyone or for his life, but Allah eclipses them to frighten His servants with them. So when you see that, pray and make supplication until they clear.
إن الشمس والقمر لا تنكسفان لموت أحد ولا لحياته، ولكن الله يكسفهما يخوف بهما عباده؛ فإذا رأيتم ذلك فصلوا وادعوا حتى ينكشفانWhen you see that, turn to the remembrance of Allah, His supplication, and seeking His forgiveness.
إذا رأيتم ذلك فافزعوا إلى ذكر الله وإلى دعائه واستغفارهAnd he ordered takbir during the eclipse, and freeing slaves, and giving charity. So it is prescribed for the believer, and likewise for the believing woman, to pray, give charity, seek forgiveness, and increase in remembrance when they see the eclipse. The call is made for it: "The prayer is gathered." It is called out on the minarets, or through the loudspeakers: "The prayer is gathered... The prayer is gathered." It is repeated two, three, or more times until the people are informed. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that it be called out: "The prayer is gathered." Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.