Verily the sun and the moon do not eclipse on account of the death of any one of the people, but they are the two signs among the signs of Allah. So when you see it, stand up and observe prayer.
The Book of Prayer - Eclipses
Sahih Muslim 911 b
Hadith Text
Verily the sun and the moon do not eclipse on account of the death of any one of the people, but they are the two signs among the signs of Allah. So when you see it, stand up and observe prayer.
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim contains profound wisdom regarding celestial phenomena. The Prophet ﷺ explicitly refuted the pre-Islamic superstition that eclipses occurred due to the death of notable persons. This false belief was prevalent among the Arabs of Jahiliyyah.
The clarification that eclipses are "among the signs of Allah" establishes them as natural phenomena demonstrating Allah's perfect power and wisdom in governing the universe. They serve as reminders of the Creator's majesty and should inspire reflection and humility in believers.
The command to "stand up and observe prayer" during eclipses transforms these natural events into occasions for spiritual renewal. The prayer of eclipse (Salat al-Kusuf) is a communal act of worship where Muslims gather to seek Allah's mercy, remember His greatness, and turn to Him in supplication.
This teaching exemplifies Islam's rational approach to natural phenomena while simultaneously infusing them with spiritual significance. It redirects human attention from superstitious explanations toward the worship of the One True God who controls all creation.