There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had died. The people began to to say that there was an eclipse on account of the death of Ibrahim. The Prophet (ﷺ) stood up and led the people in prayer performing six bowings and four prostrations. he said: Allah is most great, and then recited from the Qur'an and prolonged the recitation. He then bowed nearly as long as he stood. He then raised his head and recited from the Qur'an but it was less than the first (recitation). He then bowed nearly as long as he stood. He then raised his head and then recited from the Quran for the third time, but it was less than the second recitation. He then bowed nearly as long as he stood. he then raised his head and then recited from the Qur'an for the third time, but it was less than the second recitation. he then bowed nearly as long as he stood. Then he raised his head and went down for prostration. he made two prostrations. He then stood and made three bowings before prostrating himself, the preceding bowing being more lengthy than the following, but he bowed nearly as long as he stood. He then stepped back during the prayer and the rows (of the people) too stepped back along with him. Then he stepped forward and stood in his place, and the rows too stepped forward. he then finished the prayer and the sun had become bright. He said: O people, the sun and the moon are two of Allah's signs; they are not eclipsed on account of a man's death. So when you see anything of that nature, offer prayer until the sun becomes bright. The narrator then narrated the rest of the tradition.
The Book Of The Prayer For Rain (Kitab al-Istisqa') - Sunan Abi Dawud 1178
This tradition from Sunan Abi Dawud presents a comprehensive commentary on the eclipse prayer (Salat al-Kusuf) and its profound theological implications, as established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Refutation of Pre-Islamic Superstitions
The Prophet (ﷺ) decisively corrected the prevalent pagan belief that celestial phenomena like eclipses were connected to human events, specifically rejecting the notion that the solar eclipse occurred due to his son Ibrahim's death. This establishes Islam's fundamental principle that celestial bodies operate according to divine laws, not human affairs.
The Ritual of Eclipse Prayer
The detailed description of the prayer demonstrates its unique structure: six bowings (rukūʿ) and four prostrations (sujūd) divided into two rak'ahs. Each cycle featured prolonged standing (qiyām), recitation, and bowing, with each subsequent cycle being shorter than the previous, showing gradual progression toward completion as the eclipse diminished.
Spiritual Significance of Prolonged Devotion
The extended recitation and bowing periods reflect the prayer's purpose as an act of intense devotion and remembrance of Allah during moments of divine manifestation. This encourages believers to turn to prayer and supplication rather than fear or superstition when witnessing Allah's signs.
Movement During Prayer
The Prophet's stepping back and forward during prayer, with the congregation following in unison, demonstrates the flexibility in prayer movements during extraordinary circumstances while maintaining congregational unity and discipline.
Timing and Completion
The prayer continued until the eclipse ended and sunlight returned, establishing that the eclipse prayer lasts for the duration of the celestial event. This timing principle ensures the prayer remains connected to the natural phenomenon it addresses.