(the wife of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) In the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ) the sun eclipsed and he went to the Mosque and the people aligned behind him. He said the Takbir (starting the prayer) and prolonged the recitation (from the Qur'an) and then said Takbir and performed a prolonged bowing; then he (lifted his head and) said, "Sami allahu liman hamidah" (Allah heard him who sent his praises to Him). He then did not prostrate but stood up and recited a prolonged recitation which was shorter than the first recitation. He again said Takbir and then bowed a prolonged bowing but shorter than the first one and then said, "Sami`a l-lahu Lyman hamidah Rabbana walak-lhamd, (Allah heard him who sent his praises to Him. O our Sustainer! All the praises are for You)" and then prostrated and did the same in the second rak`a; thus he completed four bowing and four prostrations. The sun (eclipse) had cleared before he finished the prayer. (After the prayer) he stood up, glorified and praised Allah as He deserved and then said, "The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of the death or the life (i.e. birth) of someone. When you see them make haste for the prayer." Narrated Az-Zuhri: I said to 'Urwa, "When the sun eclipsed at Medina your brother (`Abdullah bin Az-Zubair) offered only a two-rak`at prayer like that of the morning (Fajr) prayer." 'Urwa replied, "Yes, for he missed the Prophet's tradition (concerning this matter)."
Eclipses: Commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari 1046
This narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) establishes the Prophetic Sunnah for Salat al-Kusuf (the Eclipse Prayer). The eclipse occurred during the Prophet's lifetime, prompting immediate congregational prayer in the mosque.
The Prayer Format
The prayer consisted of two rak'ahs, each with two standings (qiyam), two recitations, and two bowings (ruku'), totaling four of each movement. This differs from normal prayers, demonstrating it as a distinct form of worship for this specific sign of Allah.
The Prophet prolonged the recitation and bowing in the first rak'ah more than the second, showing variation within the prayer itself. He did not proceed directly to prostration after the first bowing, but stood for a second recitation.
Theological Significance
The Prophet explicitly corrected common superstitions, declaring that eclipses are not caused by anyone's death or birth. They are among Allah's signs meant to inspire reflection, fear of Allah, and swift turning to prayer.
The concluding instruction, "When you see them, make haste for the prayer," establishes this as a communal obligation (emphasized sunnah) upon witnessing an eclipse.
Scholarly Clarification
The final exchange between Az-Zuhri and 'Urwa serves as an important legal point. 'Urwa confirms that offering only two rak'ahs (like Fajr) instead of the four-bowing format described is incorrect and constitutes missing the established Prophetic tradition (Sunnah).