In various countries of the
world, lunar and solar eclipse will be visible on 7th and 21st of August 2017
respectively. Why does solar or lunar eclipse take place? There are various
reasons given for their occurrence. As per science, the moon revolves around the
earth and, just like earth, the moon too is without light. It takes light from
the sun. While revolving around the sun, when the moon comes between the sun and
the earth, sunlight is barred from reaching earth’s surface. This is called a
solar eclipse. When the earth comes in between the sun and the moon as a result
of which the moon is deprived of the sunlight, it is called lunar eclipse. In
the days of ignorance, it was maintained that sun or moon was eclipsed because
of the death of someone or some extraordinary incident. In the subcontinent,
people are of the view that on these occasions pregnant women should not use a
knife because solar or lunar eclipse can cause a cut in the lips or some other
organ of the foetus in the mother’s womb. However, this has no connection
whatsoever with the reality, be it from the vantage point of Shariah or science.
This is simply superstitious thinking of the people and signals their ignorance.
We believe that the Islamic Shariah spells out clearly the complete way in which
we are to live our lives. In case it was actually harmful to a pregnant woman to
use a knife on the occasion of a solar or lunar eclipse, the Prophet of the
entire universe Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would have most certainly instructed the
believers about it. Once, when the sun was eclipsed during the lifetime of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his (PBUH) son Ibraheem (RZA) died the same day and
some people held the view that the eclipse was because of the death of Prophet
Muhammad’s (PBUH) son. Opposing this view, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The
sun and the moon are two of the many signs of Almighty Allah. They do not get
eclipsed because of someone’s death”. On this very occasion, Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) offered a very long prayer. As per the teachings of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH), the entire Muslim community follows the same practice of offering Salaat
on these occasions, remembering Almighty Allah and praying to Him (for
forgiveness).
The system of the world is so magnificent that the rise and setting of sun at
the right time, presence of moon and billions of stars in the expanse of the
universe, the movement of air, light from the sun and the moon, numerous
treasures beneath the earth, presence of numerous mountains on earth, rain from
the clouds, the ability in the soil to grow and produce, presence of variety of
tastes in fruits, presence of water and fire, similarly the presence of
countless species of herbivores, carnivores and birds, all of this is a clear
proof of the fact that there is someone behind the existence of all this. How
else did this entire system come into being and to what end? In the times we
live in, even if we do something really insignificant, we do it for some
purpose. Moreover, we have to do a lot of other things for that and then one day
it is over. Rulers of magnificent empires were buried in yard-long graves.
Strong forts turned into ruins and the palaces and mansions are now all
deserted. Verily it is Almighty Allah Who has created not only humans and jinns
but also the entire universe and it is none but He who runs the system of the
entire universe. We are all His bondsmen. There are countless things in the
world we accept without understanding. Therefore, whether we are able to
understand this or not, we have firm belief that this exceptionally large
universe could not have come into being on its own and such an extraordinarily
large system cannot survive on its own. The system of the sun and moon is so
astonishing that even after the passage of thousands of years it has not changed
even by seconds. Just the way the sun and the moon get momentarily eclipsed by
Almighty Allah’s commandment, there will most certainly come a time when,
instead of the east, the sun will rise from the west, something that
contemporary scientists have now accepted as a possibility though the Islamic
Shariah had mentioned this as many as 1400 years ago. After this, the entire
world will end following which each and every human being (from the inception of
the world all the way to its end) will be rewarded or punished for their deeds.
What needs to be understood is that neither does anyone have any say in solar or
lunar eclipse nor can the entire universe stop these events from happening at
the time they are supposed to occur. Therefore, at the time of solar or lunar
eclipse, we should only seek refuge in Almighty Allah, bow down before none save
Him, and the forehead be laid before Him because it is He who is the Creator,
Master and Provider of the entire universe. At the time of solar eclipse,
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) entered the mosque and offered Salaat. So, on such an
occasion, in case we avoid going out and do not look directly at the sun, this
will be considered as a cautious act because even from the scientific point of
view this kind of precaution is required. However, there is no need to get
worried because it is our belief that we will face whatever pain or relief is
destined for us by Almighty Allah. That said, we must employ means and develop
strategies to relieve ourselves from pain and attain ease and comfort in our
lives.
Therefore, whenever there is a solar eclipse Muslims must direct themselves
towards the Master of the Universe, offer two Rakaat Salaat in congregation,
without the customary call to prayer and the Iqaamah right before starting the
prayer, and pray to Almighty Allah as much as possible. Few learned scholars of
Islam hold the opinion that one can offer more than two Rakaat as well. The
Quran must be recited silently although few learned scholars are of the view
that loud recitation is also permissible. On the event of a lunar eclipse, we
should offer Salaat on our own (on an individual basis), although there are few
learned scholars who claim that prayer in congregation too is permissible. These
prayers should not be offered during the forbidden hours (during which offering
of Salaat is forbidden) though as per the opinion of few learned scholars these
prayers could be offered during those hours. The prayer that is offered on the
occasion of a solar eclipse is called Salaat-ul-Kusoof whereas the one offered
on the occasion of a lunar eclipse is called Salaat-ul-Khusoof. During these
prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran, bowing down (Rukoo’) and prostration
should be of such long duration that the eclipse should get over in the course
of performing the Salaat because Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to do it exactly
that way. This prayer is offered just the way two Rakaat Salat is offered in
ordinary circumstances, even though there are few learned scholars who maintain
that in every Rakaat one should bow down twice. The crux of the matter is that
as per the opinion of learned scholars of Hanafi school of jurisprudence, on
occasions of this nature two Rakaat should be offered just the way they are
offered on normal basis, on the occasion of solar eclipse this prayer should be
offered in congregation while the Imam will recite the Quran silently, whereas
on the occasion of lunar eclipse this prayer should be offered on individual
basis. That said, in case the prayer for lunar eclipse is being offered in
congregation – the way it is in Saudi Arabia – one could join the congregation.
For both of these prayers, bowing down and prostration should be of long
duration, Almighty Allah should be remembered and everyone should pray for His
forgiveness as much as possible.
Abu Bakrah (RZA) narrates that once there was a solar eclipse during the life of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went to the mosque dragging the
sheet draped around his body (since he was in a hurry). The noble companions
(RZA) gathered around him (PBUH). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) led two Rakaat prayer
and the eclipse too got over (by the time the prayer was finished). Following
this, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The sun and the moon are two of the many
signs of Almighty Allah. They do not get eclipsed because of someone’s death
(instead, just the way it is in the case of other creatures of the planet, these
two are also subject to commandment of Almighty Allah) so whenever you witness
solar or lunar eclipse you should, stay engaged in offering Salaat and praying
before Almighty Allah till the time the eclipse does not get over”. Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) said these words because his (PBUH) son Ibrahim (RZA) died that
very day and few people had started saying that the eclipse was because of his
death (Bukhari). Ayesha (RZA) narrates that there was solar eclipse during the
lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). After finishing Salaat Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) said, “The sun and the moon are two of the many signs of Almighty Allah.
These two do not get eclipsed because of someone’s death or birth. O people!
Whenever you face any such occasion, busy yourself in remembrance of Almighty
Allah, pray to Him, glorify Him, offer Salaat, and do charity” (Muslim). Nauman
bin Basheer (RZA) narrates that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whenever the sun
or the moon get eclipsed, you should offer Salaat as if it is your last Salaat
(like Fajr Salaat)” (Sunan an-Nasa'i). Qabeesah (RZA) said, “We were with
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Madinah and there was a solar eclipse. The Prophet
(PBUH) stepped out of his house dragging his clothes, anxious and worried and
offered two Rakaat Salaat that was extremely long” (Sunan an-Nasa'i).