"The sun eclipsed in the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of someone. When you see the eclipse pray and invoke Allah."
Eclipses - Sahih al-Bukhari 1043
"The sun eclipsed in the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of someone. When you see the eclipse pray and invoke Allah."
Commentary on the Historical Context
This narration occurred during a solar eclipse coinciding with the death of the Prophet's infant son Ibrahim. The people, influenced by pre-Islamic beliefs, mistakenly attributed the celestial phenomenon to human events. The Prophet immediately corrected this superstition, establishing that eclipses are natural signs from Allah rather than omens connected to human affairs.
Theological Significance
The Prophet's statement fundamentally distinguishes Islamic cosmology from pagan beliefs. Eclipses are among the "ayat" (signs) of Allah mentioned in the Quran (41:37) that demonstrate His perfect power and wisdom. They occur according to divine decree and fixed natural laws, not as reactions to worldly events. This teaching purifies Islamic creed from superstition and anthropocentric thinking.
Practical Guidance
The Prophet instructed Muslims to respond to eclipses with prayer (salat al-kusuf) and supplication. This transforms a natural phenomenon into an occasion for spiritual reflection and drawing closer to Allah. The eclipse prayer serves as a reminder of the Day of Judgment when the sun will be darkened (81:1) and encourages believers to seek forgiveness and renew their commitment to worship.
Scholarly Consensus
Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and al-Nawawi emphasize that this hadith establishes the sunnah of performing a special prayer during eclipses. The prayer consists of two rak'ahs with prolonged recitation and bowing. Scholars also note that this incident demonstrates the Prophet's wisdom in addressing misconceptions while providing positive guidance, a model for Islamic education.