The creation of the Sun and Moon is one of thegreatest signs
given to humans by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala of His existence. No doubt the
absence of both these created blessings would create havoc in any living being's
life.
"Blessed is He who has placed in the sky great stars
and placed therein a [burning] lamp and luminous moon."(25:61)
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also shows us His great power and
control over the universe by the solar eclipse and the lunar eclipse happening
every few months. These major events, when the unusual happens in the well
balanced system of the universe, demand more from us than merepublicizing on
media or thousands of people coming out to witness it.
The eclipse of the sun or moon is one of the signs of the
Day of Judgment and the fact that it occurs every few months requires our
serious attention. Few might know that the solar or the lunar eclipses are
actually great reminders and alarms given to us by the Lord of the worlds, to check
ourselves, to repent and return to Him with a humble heart.
In the Quran, Allah Ta'ala says:
"He (man) asks, ' When is the Day of Resurrection?' So
when the vision is dazzled. And the moon darkens. And the sun and moon are
joined." (75:6-9)
"…when the sun will be wound round and will lose its
light and be overthrown and the stars will fall." (Surah at-Takweer 81:1)
This is why Muslims should be alarmed by eclipses.
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to fear Allaah
very much, and one day he came out in an agitated state, thinking that the Hour
had begun, when the sun was eclipsed during his lifetime… This is indicative of
the great extent to which he kept the Hour in mind and feared it, even though
Allah had forgiven all his sins and promised him paradise.
We, on the other hand, have become negligent and most of us
no longer think of eclipses as anything other than a natural phenomenon which
we go out to watch with special glasses, carrying cameras. We limit themselves
to the worldly scientific explanation without understanding the reminder of the
Hereafter which it brings. This is one of the signs of hard-heartedness and a
lack of concern about the matters of the Hereafter. It reflects a lack of fear
of the onset of the Day of Judgment, and ignorance of the aims of sharee’ah and
the reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used
to feel fear when these eclipses happened. The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased
with them) used to stand to pray the eclipse prayer, because they believed that
if indeed the Hour had come, they would not then be counted negligent of their
prayer, and if this eclipse was nothing to do with the Hour, then they would
not lose anything by praying, for they would have earned a great reward!!!
In the early Islamic period, the solar eclipse (kusoof As
Shams) happened just once in the life-time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad.
(sallallahu alayhi wassallam)
It was narrated by Al Mughira bin Shuba that,
The Solar eclipse occurred on the day when the prophet's son
Ibrahim passed away. When he (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) saw the sun turn
dark.., he was terrified and thought the Hour had come.(Bukhari)
Narrated Abu Bakr (may Allah have mercy on him)
The solar eclipse occurred while we were sitting with the
Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wassallam). He got up dragging his garment (on the
ground) hurriedly, till he reached the mosque. There, he offered a two-Rak'ah
prayer until the eclipse was over and said, "The sun and the moon are two
signs among the signs of Allah, so if you see a thing like this (eclipse) then
offer the prayer and invoke Allah until He removes that state."
Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from'Aishah that the Messenger
of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wassallam) said:
"The sun and the moon are two signs from among Allah's
signs and there is no eclipse due to the life or death of anyone. If you see
that [an eclipse] [lunar or solar] supplicate to Allah, extol His greatness,
give charity and pray."
They also record from Abu Musa that there was a solar
eclipse and the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wassallam) said:
"If you see something of this nature, rush to the
remembrance of Allah, supplicating Him and asking His forgiveness."
Salaat Al Kusoof
Narrated Aisha (may Allah have mercy on her) On the day of a
solar eclipse, Allah's Messenger (sallalahu alayhi wassallam) rushed to offer
the eclipse prayer. He called out: ""Salat-ul-jami'ah ""
and started the prayer,
* he recited Surah al Fatiha and then Surah al Baqarah till
the end,
* then he bowed down for Ruku',
* and then he raised his head saying.
"Sami'Allah-u-liman hamida"
"Allah hears him who sends his praises to Him."
* Then he again recited Surah Fatiha and began reciting
surah al Imran,
* then bowed down for a second ruku', raised himself and
recited,
"Sami'Allah-u-liman hamida"
"Allah hears him who sends his praises to Him."
* Then he performed two long sujood
* and then performed the second Rakah in the same way as he
had done the first.
By the time he had finished his prayer with Taslim, the
solar eclipse had been over!
Then he addressed the people referring to the solar and
lunar eclipses saying,
"These are two
signs amongst the Signs of Allah, and they do not eclipse because of anyone's
death or life. So, if you see them, hasten for the Prayer." (Al Bukhari)
According to these hadeeths this prayer consists of two
rakahs, four qiyams, four rukus and four sujood.
It is not compulsory to recite Surah al Baqarah or Surah Al
Imran in this prayer. We can recite any surah that we wish. According to
various scholars this prayer is wajib on Muslims.
It is preferred to make Dhikr, duas, to give charity, make
serious repentance, try to mend our ways and ask Allah to guide us and our
families and also to save us all from the punishment of the grave as the
darkness in the grave would be more than the darkness of the day of solar
eclipse.
May Allah forgive us, bless us with the knowledge of His
religion and make us practising Muslims.
And all praise belongs to Allah, Who guided us to this
precious information. May the best of peace and blessings of Allah be on
Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow them in
righteousness.
Fi Amanillah,
Mariam Anwer
http://blog.iloveallaah.com