"There was an eclipse of the sun and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed and the people with him. He stood for long time reciting something like Surah Al-Baqarah, then he raised (his head) and stood for a long time, then he raised (his head) and stood for a long time which was shorter than the first time. Then he bowed for a long time, which was shorter than the first time, then he prostrated. Then he got up and stood for a long time, which was shorter than the first time, then he bowed for a long time, which was shorter than the first time, then he raised (his head) and stood for a long time, which was shorter than the first time. Then he bowed for a long time, which was shorter than the first time, then he prostrated, then he finished (his prayer) and the sun had been clear. He said: 'The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah (SWT) and they do not become eclipsed for the death or birth of anyone. If you see that then remember Allah (SWT) the Mighty and Sublime.' They said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we saw you stretching out your hand when you were standing, then we saw you moving backward. He said: 'I saw Paradise-or it was shown to me- and I reached out to a take a bunch of its fruits. If I ha taken it you would have eaten from it for as long as this world lasts. And I saw Hell and I have never seen anything like it, and I saw that most of its inhabitants are women.' They said: "Why, O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)? He said: 'Because of their ingratitude.' It was said: 'Are they ungrateful to Allah?' He said: 'They are ungrateful to their husbands and they are ungrateful for kind treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime, then she sees (one) bad thing from you, she will say: I have never seen anything good from you.'"
The Book of Eclipses - Sunan an-Nasa'i 1493
There was an eclipse of the sun and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed and the people with him. He stood for long time reciting something like Surah Al-Baqarah, then he raised (his head) and stood for a long time, then he raised (his head) and stood for a long time which was shorter than the first time. Then he bowed for a long time, which was shorter than the first time, then he prostrated. Then he got up and stood for a long time, which was shorter than the first time, then he bowed for a long time, which was shorter than the first time, then he raised (his head) and stood for a long time, which was shorter than the first time. Then he bowed for a long time, which was shorter than the first time, then he prostrated, then he finished (his prayer) and the sun had been clear. He said: 'The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah (SWT) and they do not become eclipsed for the death or birth of anyone. If you see that then remember Allah (SWT) the Mighty and Sublime.' They said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we saw you stretching out your hand when you were standing, then we saw you moving backward. He said: 'I saw Paradise-or it was shown to me- and I reached out to a take a bunch of its fruits. If I ha taken it you would have eaten from it for as long as this world lasts. And I saw Hell and I have never seen anything like it, and I saw that most of its inhabitants are women.' They said: "Why, O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)? He said: 'Because of their ingratitude.' It was said: 'Are they ungrateful to Allah?' He said: 'They are ungrateful to their husbands and they are ungrateful for kind treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime, then she sees (one) bad thing from you, she will say: I have never seen anything good from you.'"
Commentary on the Eclipse Prayer
The eclipse prayer (Salat al-Kusuf) is established as a confirmed Sunnah consisting of two rak'ahs with multiple standings, bowings, and prostrations. The Prophet's prolonged recitation demonstrates the gravity of this occasion and its function as a reminder of Allah's majesty.
The Prophet's clarification that eclipses are natural phenomena refutes pre-Islamic superstitions attributing them to births or deaths of notable figures. This establishes the Islamic worldview where celestial events are signs (ayat) pointing to Allah's power and perfection.
Spiritual Dimensions Revealed
The Prophet's vision during the prayer reveals the connection between cosmic events and spiritual realities. His reaching for Paradise's fruits symbolizes the accessibility of divine rewards, while his recoil from Hell demonstrates Allah's mercy in warning His servants.
The mention of women comprising most Hell's inhabitants requires careful understanding. Scholars explain this refers to specific spiritual deficiencies - primarily ingratitude (kufr al-ni'mah) toward husbands and dismissal of lifelong kindness due to minor faults. This serves as a warning against spiritual heedlessness regardless of gender.
Legal and Spiritual Lessons
This hadith establishes the eclipse prayer as a communal act of worship during celestial events. The extended format with multiple recitations and prostrations distinguishes it from regular prayers.
The incident teaches that natural phenomena should drive believers toward remembrance of Allah rather than superstitious interpretations. The Prophet's experience demonstrates how worship connects the physical and spiritual realms, offering glimpses of ultimate realities.