In the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second rak`a as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, "The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa." The Prophet then said, "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (selfrespect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much.
The Eclipse Prayer: A Divine Ordinance
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 1044 establishes the Sunnah of Salat al-Khusuf (eclipse prayer) as a communal act of worship during celestial phenomena. The Prophet's prolonged standing, bowing, and prostrations demonstrate this prayer's unique format—distinct from obligatory prayers—emphasizing humility and devotion when witnessing Allah's signs.
Correcting Pre-Islamic Superstitions
The Prophet explicitly negated pre-Islamic beliefs that eclipses signaled births, deaths, or worldly events. By declaring "they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone," he purified Islamic creed from superstition and directed attention to Allah's absolute power over creation.
Theological Implications of Celestial Signs
Eclipses serve as muhlikat (frightening signs) meant to awaken spiritual consciousness. The command to remember Allah, perform takbir, pray, and give charity transforms a natural phenomenon into an opportunity for spiritual renewal and atonement.
Divine Chastity and Spiritual Gravity
The Prophet's emphatic declaration about Allah's ghaira (sacred jealousy) establishes the gravity of sexual morality in Islamic law. His subsequent remark about the unseen realities known only to him serves as a profound reminder of the spiritual realm's realities that should inspire continuous repentance and solemnity in believers.