"There was an eclipse of the sun, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) got up in a rush, fearing that it might be the Hour. He went to the masjid, where he stood and prayed, standing, bowing and prostrating for the longest time that I ever saw him do in prayer. Then he said: 'These signs that Allah (SWT) sends do not occur for the death or birth of anyone, but Allah (SWT) sends them to strike fear into His slaves. If you see any of these things, then hasten to remember Him, call upon Him supplicate and ask for His forgiveness.'"
The Book of Eclipses - Sunan an-Nasa'i 1503
There was an eclipse of the sun, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) got up in a rush, fearing that it might be the Hour. He went to the masjid, where he stood and prayed, standing, bowing and prostrating for the longest time that I ever saw him do in prayer. Then he said: 'These signs that Allah (SWT) sends do not occur for the death or birth of anyone, but Allah (SWT) sends them to strike fear into His slaves. If you see any of these things, then hasten to remember Him, call upon Him supplicate and ask for His forgiveness.'
Commentary on the Prophetic Response
The Prophet's immediate rush to the mosque demonstrates that celestial phenomena should prompt believers toward spiritual awakening rather than worldly speculation. His prolonged prayer establishes the Sunnah of Salat al-Kusuf (eclipse prayer) as the primary response to such events.
The Prophet's fear of the Hour reveals that even the most righteous should maintain consciousness of the Hereafter. This teaches us that cosmic signs are divine reminders, not mere natural occurrences to be observed passively.
Refutation of Superstition
The explicit rejection that eclipses relate to any person's birth or death dismantles pre-Islamic superstitions. This establishes the Islamic principle that celestial events operate under divine command alone, not as omens connected to human affairs.
Allah sends these signs specifically to inspire khawf (reverential fear) in His servants - a pedagogical tool to redirect hearts toward their Creator.
Prescribed Spiritual Response
The commanded actions - remembrance (dhikr), supplication (du'a), and seeking forgiveness (istighfar) - transform a cosmic event into an opportunity for spiritual advancement. This triad constitutes the comprehensive Islamic response: internal remembrance, verbal petition, and repentance.
The instruction to "hasten" emphasizes urgency in turning to Allah, indicating that such moments are specially endowed with divine mercy and acceptance of prayers.