In the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ) the sun eclipsed and the Prophet (p.b.u.h) stood up to offer the prayer with the people and recited a long recitation, then he performed a prolonged bowing, and then lifted his head and recited a prolonged recitation which was shorter than the first. Then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first and then lifted his head and performed two prostrations. He then stood up for the second rak`a and offered it like the first. Then he stood up and said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone's life or death but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah which He shows to His worshipers. So whenever you see them, make haste for the prayer."
The Eclipse Prayer: A Divine Reminder
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (1058) describes the Prophet's (ﷺ) response to a solar eclipse, establishing the prayer of eclipse (Salat al-Kusuf) as a confirmed Sunnah. The Prophet's immediate action demonstrates that celestial phenomena should drive believers toward worship rather than worldly speculation.
Distinctive Ritual Format
The eclipse prayer differs from regular prayers by having two rak'ahs, each containing two standings (qiyam), two recitations, and two bowings (ruku'). The prolonged nature of each component reflects the gravity of the occasion and encourages deep reflection upon Allah's signs.
The decreasing length in successive recitations and bowings demonstrates the principle of moderation in worship while maintaining the prayer's distinctive character. This balance prevents excessive hardship while preserving the prayer's unique spiritual benefits.
Correcting Superstition with Tawhid
The Prophet's (ﷺ) explicit clarification that eclipses are not related to anyone's birth or death decisively refutes pre-Islamic superstitions. This teaching anchors Muslim cosmology firmly in divine unity (tawhid), recognizing celestial bodies as subservient creations following Allah's precise laws.
By attributing eclipses solely to Allah's wisdom, the Hadith redirects human response from fear and speculation to obedient worship. This transformation of perspective exemplifies Islam's mission to liberate humanity from irrational fears through correct understanding of divine sovereignty.
Practical Implementation
The command to "make haste for the prayer" indicates both the timeliness of the response and its communal nature. Scholars interpret this as either obligation (wajib) or strong recommendation (sunnah mu'akkadah), with consensus on its great merit.
The prayer should be performed in congregation when possible, following the Prophet's example. During the prayer, lengthy recitations from Qur'an passages emphasizing Allah's power, creation, and judgment are recommended to align hearts with the occasion's significance.