The Book of Eclipses - Sunan an-Nasa'i 1488

This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) provides essential guidance for the prayer during solar and lunar eclipses, known as Salat al-Kusuf and Salat al-Khusuf respectively.

Scholarly Commentary

The command "pray like the last obligatory prayer you did before that" indicates that the eclipse prayer should resemble the format of the most recent obligatory prayer performed. This means it follows the same number of rak'ahs and general structure.

Classical scholars explain that this hadith establishes the eclipse prayer as consisting of two rak'ahs, since the five daily prayers are either two, three, or four rak'ahs, and the last prayer before an eclipse would typically be one of these.

The wisdom behind this simplified instruction makes the prayer accessible to all Muslims, regardless of their level of knowledge, by relating it to something familiar - their regular daily prayers.

Legal Ruling and Implementation

The majority of scholars consider the eclipse prayer as a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah). It is performed in congregation, though individual performance is also valid.

Unlike regular prayers, the eclipse prayer features extended recitation and prolonged bowing and prostration, with two bowings in each rak'ah, reflecting the awe and contemplation of Allah's signs in the cosmos.

Spiritual Significance

Eclipses serve as reminders of the Day of Judgment and Allah's absolute power over creation. The prayer during these phenomena turns a natural event into an occasion for spiritual reflection, repentance, and drawing closer to the Creator.

This practice distinguishes Muslim worship by connecting celestial events with acts of devotion, transforming fear or wonder into disciplined worship and submission to Allah's will.