Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone but Allah frightens His devotees with them."
Eclipses - Sahih al-Bukhari 1048
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone but Allah frightens His devotees with them."
Commentary on the Hadith
This profound narration establishes several fundamental Islamic beliefs regarding celestial phenomena. The Prophet (ﷺ) categorically refuted the pre-Islamic Arabian superstition that eclipses occurred due to the death of notable persons, affirming instead that these are among Allah's magnificent signs (āyāt) demonstrating His perfect power and wisdom.
The celestial bodies follow divinely ordained natural laws (sunan), not arbitrary human events. Their eclipses serve as reminders of Allah's absolute sovereignty over creation, intended to inspire awe (khawf) in believers and prompt them to reflection, prayer, and seeking forgiveness - as demonstrated by the Prophet's own practice during eclipses.
This teaching elevates Muslim understanding from superstition to tawḥīd, recognizing these phenomena as manifestations of divine majesty meant to awaken spiritual consciousness rather than fear of worldly causes.
Key Theological Points
The sun and moon as āyāt (signs) pointing to Allah's existence and perfection
Rejection of pre-Islamic superstitions and false causal attributions
Divine wisdom behind natural phenomena as means of spiritual awakening
Proper Muslim response: prayer, remembrance, and seeking forgiveness