Asma' bint Abi Bakr As-Siddiq said, "I went to 'Aishah and the people were offering Salat. I asked her, 'What is wrong with the people ?' She pointed towards the sky with her head. I asked her, 'Is there a sign ?' 'Aishah nodded with her head meaning 'Yes'." Asma' added, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prolonged the Salat to such an extent that I fainted. There was a waterskin by my side and I opened it and poured some water on my head. When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) finished Salat, and the solar eclipse had cleared, the Prophet (ﷺ) addressed the people and praised Allah as He deserves and said, 'Amma ba'du'." Asma' further said, "Some Ansari women started talking, so I turned to them in order to make them quiet. I asked 'Aishah what the Prophet (ﷺ) had said. 'Aishah said: 'He said, 'I have seen things at this place of mine which were never shown to me before; (I have seen) even Paradise and Hell. And, no doubt it has been revealed to me that you (people) will be put in trial in your graves like or nearly like the trial of Masih Ad-Dajjal. (The angels) will come to everyone of you and ask him, 'What do you know about this man (Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)) ?" The faithful believer or firm believer (Hisham was in doubt which word the Prophet (ﷺ) used), will say, 'He is Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and he is Muhammad (ﷺ) who came to us with clear evidences and guidance. So we believed him, accepted his teachings and followed and trusted his teaching.' Then the angels will tell him to sleep (in peace) as they have come to know that he was a believer. But the hypocrite or a doubtful person (Hisham is not sure as to which word the Prophet (ﷺ) used), will be asked what he knew about this man (Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ)). He will say, 'I do not know but I heard the people saying something (about him) so I said the same' " Hisham added, "Fatima told me that she remembered that narration completely by heart except that she said about the hypocrite or a doubtful person that he will be punished severely."
The Eclipse Prayer: Context and Significance
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 922 describes the solar eclipse prayer (Salat al-Kusuf) performed by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The eclipse is not merely an astronomical phenomenon in Islam but serves as a divine sign reminding believers of Allah's power and the Day of Judgment.
The Prophet's prolonged prayer demonstrates the appropriate response to celestial signs: turning to Allah in worship rather than superstitious fear. His lengthy standing, bowing, and prostrating in this special prayer reflect complete submission to the Creator.
The Vision of Paradise and Hell
During this prayer, the Prophet ﷺ was granted a direct vision of Paradise and Hell - a rare privilege affirming his prophethood. Such visions serve as powerful reminders of the ultimate realities beyond this temporal world.
The description emphasizes that these were not metaphorical but actual visions granted by Allah to His Messenger, reinforcing the truth of the afterlife and the importance of preparing for it through righteous deeds.
The Trial of the Grave
The hadith reveals crucial knowledge about the trial in the grave (fitnat al-qabr), which the Prophet ﷺ described as being similar to the trial of Dajjal. This intermediate state between death and resurrection tests every soul's faith.
Angels question the deceased about their belief in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The believer's firm conviction leads to peace and comfort, while the hypocrite's uncertainty results in punishment - highlighting the critical importance of sound Islamic belief.
Distinction Between Believer and Hypocrite
The believer's response demonstrates deep understanding and personal conviction: "He is Allah's Messenger ﷺ and he is Muhammad who came to us with clear evidences and guidance." This reflects internalized faith based on knowledge and acceptance.
The hypocrite's answer - merely repeating what others said without personal conviction - reveals the emptiness of imitative faith. True belief requires personal acceptance and understanding, not just cultural adherence.
Practical Lessons
This narration teaches Muslims to respond to natural phenomena with increased worship and remembrance of Allah. The eclipse prayer remains a confirmed Sunnah practice until today.
It emphasizes the necessity of developing personal conviction in Islamic beliefs rather than relying on inherited faith. The grave's trial will test each individual's personal understanding and acceptance of the Prophet's message.