We were with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) when the sun eclipsed. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque. He led us in a two-rak`at prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared. Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) 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."
The Incident of Solar Eclipse
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 1040 describes the Prophet's immediate response to a solar eclipse. He demonstrated urgency by dragging his cloak, indicating the importance of turning to prayer during celestial signs rather than worldly concerns.
Scholarly Commentary on Eclipse Prayer
The two-rak'at prayer performed is known as Salat al-Kusuf (Eclipse Prayer). Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi explain this prayer has extended recitations and prostrations, distinguishing it from regular prayers.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari notes that the Prophet's haste shows eclipse prayers are time-sensitive obligations, not mere recommended acts.
Correction of Pre-Islamic Beliefs
The Prophet explicitly negated the pre-Islamic Arabian belief that eclipses occurred due to the death of notable figures. Al-Qurtubi states this clarification was necessary to purify Islamic creed from pagan superstitions.
Ibn Kathir emphasizes that eclipses are among Allah's signs (ayat) meant to inspire reflection and repentance, not superstitious interpretations.
Legal Rulings Derived
The command "pray and invoke" establishes eclipse prayer as communal Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah). Imam Malik and Imam Shafi'i considered it a emphasized communal practice.
Scholars derive that supplication during eclipses is particularly accepted, as the Prophet specified invocation continues until the eclipse clears.