A Jewess came to `Aisha to ask her about something and then she said, "May Allah give you refuge from the punishment of the grave." So `Aisha asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), "Would the people be punished in their graves?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked Allah's refuge from the punishment of the grave (indicating an affirmative reply). Then one day Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) rode (to leave for some place) but the sun eclipsed. He returned on the forenoon and passed through the rear of the dwellings (of his wives) and stood up and started offering the (eclipse) prayer and the people stood behind him. He stood for a long period and then performed a long bowing and then stood straight for a long period which was shorter than that of the first standing, then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first bowing, then he raised his head and prostrated for a long time and then stood up (for the second rak`a) for a long while, but the standing was shorter than the standing of the first rak`a. Then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than that of the first one. He then stood up for a long time but shorter than the first, then again performed a long bowing which was shorter than the first and then prostrated for a shorter while than that of the first prostration. Then he finished the prayer and delivered the sermon and) said what Allah wished; and ordered the people to seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave.
The Incident and Its Context
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (1055, 1056) presents a profound connection between celestial signs and divine reminders. The eclipse prayer (Salat al-Kusuf) was established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a Sunnah whenever such celestial phenomena occur, serving as a reminder of Allah's power and a call to repentance.
Scholarly Commentary on the Grave's Punishment
Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari explain that the punishment of the grave (adhab al-qabr) is a reality affirmed by Quranic evidence and Prophetic tradition. The Prophet's ﷺ seeking refuge from it indicates its severity and reality.
Imam al-Nawawi in Sharh Sahih Muslim clarifies that this punishment affects both the body and soul in the barzakh (intermediate state between death and resurrection). The eclipse served as a divine sign prompting the Prophet ﷺ to emphasize this crucial matter of creed.
Significance of the Eclipse Prayer
The meticulous description of the prayer's lengthy standings, bowings, and prostrations demonstrates the gravity with which the Prophet ﷺ treated celestial signs. Scholars note that such prayers are meant to inspire fear of Allah and reflection on the Hereafter.
Ibn Qudamah in al-Mughni emphasizes that the eclipse prayer is a confirmed Sunnah performed in congregation, consisting of two rak'ahs with extended recitations and movements as demonstrated in this hadith.
Practical Lessons and Theological Implications
This narration teaches Muslims to connect natural phenomena with spiritual realities. The eclipse, a manifestation of Allah's power, became the occasion for reinforcing belief in the unseen matters of the Hereafter.
Classical commentators stress that seeking refuge from the punishment of the grave should be a regular supplication for believers, as the Prophet ﷺ himself taught this practice after witnessing the celestial sign.