Lunar and solar eclipses gave rise to superstitious beliefs that people adopted as explanations for the strange occurrence.
A solar eclipse happened during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It was a great chance for him to demolish some myths related to this phenomenon.
People used to believe that eclipses happened due to the death of prominent people. They assumed that the death of Ibrahim, son of the Prophet, which occurred before the eclipse was the reason of the Sun’s disappearance.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) denied clearly any relation of this kind; and taught people what to do when eclipse happens.
Below is the translation of the Book on Eclipse, excerpted from Al-Bukhari’s famous hadith collection, Al-Jami` al-Saheeh:
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 150:
Narrated Abu Bakra: We were with Allah’s Apostle when the sun eclipsed. Allah’s Apostle stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque. He led us in a two-Rakat prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone’s death. So whenever you see these eclipses pray and invoke (Allah) till the eclipse is over.”
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 151:
Narrated Abu Masud: The Prophet said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of someone from the people but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them stand up and pray.”
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 152:
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of someone but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them offer the prayer.”
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 153:
Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba: “The sun eclipsed in the life-time of Allah’s Apostle on the day when (his son) Ibrahim died. So the people said that the sun had eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim. Allah’s Apostle said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of some-one. When you see the eclipse pray and invoke Allah.”
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 154:
Narrated ‘Aisha : In the life-time of Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings be upon him) the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second Raka as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared.
He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa.”
The Prophet then said, “O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more indignant than Allah when His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse).
O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much.
Read Also: Allah’s Mercy and a World Full of Dangers
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 155:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr : “When the sun eclipsed in the life-time of Allah’s Apostle an announcement was made that a prayer was to be offered in congregation.”
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 156:
Narrated ‘Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) In the lifetime of the Prophet the sun eclipsed and he went to the Mosque and the people aligned behind him. He said the Takbir (starting the prayer) and prolonged the recitation (from the Quran) and then said Takbir and performed a prolonged bowing; then he (lifted his head and) said, “Sami allahu liman hamidah” (Allah heard him who sent his praises to Him).
He then did not prostrate but stood up and recited a prolonged recitation which was shorter than the first recitation. He again said Takbir and then bowed a prolonged bowing but shorter than the first one and then said, “Sami ‘a-l-lahu Lyman hamidah Rabbana walak-lhamd, (Allah heard him who sent his praises to Him. O our Sustainer! All the praises are for You)” and then prostrated and did the same in the second Raka; thus he completed four bowing and four prostrations.
The sun (eclipse) had cleared before he finished the prayer. (After the prayer) he stood up, glorified and praised Allah as He deserved and then said, “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of the death or the life (i.e. birth) of someone. When you see them make haste for the prayer.”
Narrated Az-Zuhri: I said to ‘Urwa, “When the sun eclipsed at Medina your brother (‘Abdullah bin Az-Zubair) offered only a two-Rakat prayer like that of the morning (Fajr) prayer.” ‘Urwa replied, “Yes, for he missed the Prophet’s tradition (concerning this matter).”
The post Prophet’s Hadiths on Eclipses appeared first on About Islam.
source https://aboutislam.net/shariah/hadith/hadith-collections/prophets-hadiths-eclipses/
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