I heard Mughira b. Shu'ba saying that the sun eclipsed during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the day when Ibrahim died. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Verily the sun and the moon are the two signs among the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse on account of the death of anyone or on account of the birth of anyone. So when you see them, supplicate Allah, and observe prayer till it is over.
The Book of Prayer - Eclipses
Sahih Muslim 915 - Commentary by Imam An-Nawawi
Contextual Background
This hadith occurred when the sun eclipsed on the very day Prophet Muhammad's son Ibrahim passed away. Some companions mistakenly associated the eclipse with the death, prompting this divine clarification.
Cosmic Signs of Allah
The Prophet explicitly negated the pre-Islamic belief that celestial phenomena relate to human births or deaths. He established that eclipses are purely among Allah's signs - demonstrating His perfect power and wisdom in governing cosmic order.
Spiritual Response to Eclipses
The prescribed response combines dua (supplication) and salat (prayer), turning a natural phenomenon into an occasion for spiritual renewal. This redirects attention from superstitious interpretations to sincere worship of the Creator.
Legal Ruling
Scholars unanimously agree that prayer during eclipses is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah). The prayer continues throughout the eclipse duration, serving as communal remembrance of Allah's majesty and a rejection of astrological superstitions.