The Prophet (ﷺ) came rushing out to the masjid one day when the sun eclipsed, and he prayed until the eclipse ended, then he said: "The people of Jahilliyyah used to say that eclipses of the sun and the moon only happened when some great man on earth died. But eclipses of the sun and the moon do not happen for the death or birth of anyone. Rather they are two of the creations of Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) causes to happen in His creation what He wills. Whichever of them becomes eclipsed, pray until it is over or Allah (SWT) causes something to happen."
The Book of Eclipses - Sunan an-Nasa'i 1490
This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) establishes the Islamic perspective on solar and lunar eclipses, refuting pre-Islamic superstitions and providing guidance for Muslim conduct during such celestial events.
Refutation of Jahiliyyah Superstitions
The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly rejected the pagan Arabian belief that eclipses occurred due to the death of notable figures. This correction serves to purify Islamic creed from anthropocentric superstitions and affirms that celestial phenomena operate according to divine decree rather than human events.
Affirmation of Divine Sovereignty
The hadith emphasizes that eclipses are among Allah's creations and occur by His will alone. This reinforces the Islamic principle of Tawhid (divine unity), recognizing that all natural phenomena are subject to Allah's command and wisdom, not random occurrences or indicators of worldly events.
Practical Guidance: Salat al-Kusuf
The Prophet's immediate action of prayer during the eclipse establishes the Sunnah of performing the eclipse prayer (Salat al-Kusuf). This prayer serves multiple purposes: it is an act of worship, a demonstration of reliance upon Allah, and an opportunity for remembrance and supplication during awe-inspiring natural phenomena.
Spiritual Significance
Eclipses should remind believers of Allah's power and the temporary nature of this world. The Prophet's instruction to pray until the eclipse ends encourages prolonged devotion and reflection, turning a natural phenomenon into an occasion for spiritual renewal and increased consciousness of the Creator.