There will be an eclipse of the moon and sun in the UK, Europe and most of the middle east and asia on 11 August 1999. What dua should be read when this happens and if we look at it. Please answer this as soon as possible as it is a rare occurance, and one that many people will find useful when looking at it.
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allaah did not create this but in truth. He explains the Ayaat in detail for people who have knowledge.” [Yoonus 10:5]
“And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate yourselves not to the sun” nor to the moon, but prostrate yourselves to Allaah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him” (Fussilat 41:37)
Salaat al Kusoof is Sunnah mu’akkadah (a confirmed Sunnah) according to the consensus of the scholars. The daleel (evidence) for this is the Sunnah reported from the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam)
Eclipses are signs from Allaah by means of which Allaah makes His slaves afraid. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction)” [al Israa’ 17:39]
When the sun was eclipsed at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam), he went out rushing nervously to the mosque, dragging his cloak behind him, and led the people in prayer. He told them that the eclipse was one of the signs of Allaah, with which Allaah makes His slaves afraid, and that it may be the cause of punishment coming upon the people. He commanded them to do that which could prevent the punishment, so he commanded them to pray when an eclipse happens, and to make du’aa’, seek His forgiveness, give charity, free slaves and do other righteous deeds so that the punishment would go away and not befall the people. So the eclipse is a reminder to people, making them afraid so that they will turn back to Allaah and pay attention to Him.
During the Jaahiliyyah, people used to believe that eclipses happened to mark the birth or death of a great person, but the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) declared this belief to be false and explained the divine wisdom behind the occurrence of eclipses:
Imaam al Bukhaari and Muslim narrated that Ibn Mas’ood al Ansaari said: “the sun was eclipsed the day Ibraaheem the son of the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) died, and the people said, ‘The sun is eclipsed because of the death of Ibraaheem.’ The Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) said: ‘The sun and the moon are two signs from Allaah, and they do not become eclipsed for the death or the birth of anyone. If you see that, hasten to remember Allaah and to pray.’”
According to another hadeeth in al Saheehayn: “Call on Allaah and pray until [the eclipse] is over.”
It is reported in Saheeh al Bukhaari that Abu Moosa said: “These signs that Allaah sends are not for the death or life of anyone, but Allaah makes His slaves afraid through them, so if you see anything of that [eclipses], then hasten to remember Allaah and call on Him and seek His forgiveness.”
Allaah causes eclipses to happen to these two mighty signs, the sun and the moon, to teach His slaves and show them that these things are created and are subject to imperfections and changes just like any other created entities. Thus He shows them His perfect ability and that He alone is deserving of worship, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate yourselves not to the sun” nor to the moon, but prostrate yourselves to Allaah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him” (Fussilat 41:37)
The time for Salaat al Kusoof lasts from the beginning of the eclipse until it is over, because the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) said: “When you see that, then pray.” (Agreed upon). According to another hadeeth, “If you see anything of that, then pray until it is over.” (Reported by Muslim).
Salaat al Kusoof should not be done once the eclipse is over, because the time has gone. If an eclipse ends before one knows about it, one does not have to pray, because the reason for this prayer is no longer there.
The way in which Salaat al Kusoof is done is to pray two Rak’aat in which Qur’aan is recited aloud, according to the correct one out of the two scholarly opinions. In the first Rak’ah, one should recite al Faatihah and a long soorah such as Soorat al Baqarah or the equivalent, then do a long rukoo’, then raise one's head and say, “Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah, Rabbanaa wa laka’l hamd (Allaah listens to the one who praises Him; our Lord to You be praise)” after standing upright, as in other prayers. Then one should then recite al Faatihah and another long soorah, shorter than in the first recitation, equivalent in length to Soorat Aal ‘Imraan. Then one should do another long rukoo’ shorter than the first, and when raising one's head, say, “Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah, Rabbanaa wa laka’l hamd hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan fih, mal’ al samawaati wa mal’ al ard wa mal’ ma shi’ta min shay’in ba’d (Allaah listens to the one who praises Him; our Lord to You be praise, much good and blessed praise, filling heaven and earth and whatever You will besides that).” Then he should do two lengthy sujoods, without making the sitting between them too long. Then one should pray the second rak’ah like the first, with two long rukoo’s and two long sujoods, as he did in the first rak’ah. Then he should recite the Tashahhud and say the salaam.
This is the description of Salaat al Kusoof as prayed by the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam), as was reported with a number of isnaads. Some of these reports are in al Saheehayn, including the hadeeth narrated by ‘Aa’ishah (radiyAllaho 3anhaa): “The sun was eclipsed at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam), and the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) went out, stood up and said Takbeer (‘Allaahu akbar’), and the people formed rows behind him. The Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) recited a lengthy recitation and did a lengthy rukoo’, then he raised his head and said, ‘Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah, Rabbanaa wa laka’l hamd.’ Then he stood upright and recited another lengthy recitation, shorter than the first. Then he said ‘Allaahu akbar’ and did another lengthy rukoo’, shorter than the first. Then he said, ‘Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah, Rabbanaa wa laka’l hamd.’ Then he did sujood. Then in the second rak’ah he did likewise, until he had completed four rukoo’s and four sujoods, and the eclipse was over before he had finished.” (Agreed upon).
It is sunnah to pray Salaat al Kusoof in jamaa’ah (congregation), because this is what the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) did, but it is permissible to pray it individually, as with all other naafil prayers. However, praying it in congregation is better.
It is sunnah for the imaam to address the people after the prayer, and to warn them against negligence and being led astray, and to tell them to make lots of du’aa’ and ask for forgiveness. In al Saheeh it is narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (radiyAllaho 3anhaa) that the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) finished his prayer then addressed the people and started by praising Allaah then he said, “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allaah, and they do not become eclipsed for the death or the birth of anyone. If you see that, then call on Allaah, perform salaah, give charity…”
If the prayer ends before the eclipse does, then remember Allaah (dhikr) and call on Him (du’aa’) until the eclipse ends. The prayer should not be repeated. If the eclipse ends before the prayer, then the prayer should be completed quickly, but it should not be stopped or cut off abruptly, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “and render not vain your deeds” [Muhammad 47:33]. The prayer should be at the time of the eclipse, because the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) said: “… until it (the eclipse) is over…” and he also said, “… until what you are going through is over …”
Shaykh al Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: “Sometimes eclipses last for a long time, and sometimes for a short time, depending on how much of the sun or moon is eclipsed. The entire sun or moon may be eclipsed, or only half of it, or one-third. If it is a total eclipse, then the prayer should last long enough for all of al-Baqarah or something of similar length to be recited in the first rak’ah, and in the next rak’ah a shorter recitation is made. There are saheeh ahaadeeth narrated from the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam), as we have mentioned, and it is prescribed to shorten the prayer if the reason for it [i.e., the eclipse] is no longer there. So if it is known that the eclipse will not last for long, or if it started to get less, one should still pray, but the prayer should be shortened. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, because this prayer is prescribed for a specific reason, and if the reason is no longer there and the eclipse is over, one should not pray.”
May Allah reward you sister , MashahAllah u are on time AGain , we have got a Kusoof comming up on the 15th , Barak Allah Feeki wa jazaki khairun katheeran for this , im sure lots of people did not know a lot about it
Do go through it guys , Its wort it.
How perfect You are O Allaah, and I praise You. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance
Jazaakillah khair for sharing this. I agree it is a salaat not many people will know about.
This is happening tomorrow, Friday 15th January.
It will be visible as a partial eclipse in much of Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia. It will be seen as annular within a narrow stretch of 300 km width across Central Africa, Maldives, South Kerala (India), South Tamil Nadu(India), North Sri Lanka, parts of Burma and parts of China.
Those of you in the affected areas, please pray for us all after your salaat.
May Allah reward you abundantly sister for sharing this article with us.
The eclipse prayer is prescribed when one sees an eclipse not when one hears about it
Should we offer the eclipse prayer (Salaat al kusoof) based on the announcements of astronomers published in the newspaper? If the eclipse takes place in another country should we pray the eclipse prayer or is it necessary to see the eclipse with the naked eye?
Praise be to Allaah.
There are saheeh ahaadeeth according to which the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) enjoined offering the eclipse prayer and reciting dhikr and du’aa’s when the Muslims see an eclipse of the sun or the moon. The Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) said: “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allaah and they do not become eclipsed for the death or birth of anyone. But Allaah sends them to make His slaves fear (Him), so if you see that, then pray and make du’aa’ until it is over.” According to another version he said: “So if you see that, then hasten to remember Allaah and call upon Him and seek His forgiveness.” So he (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) connected the command to pray, make du’aa’, remember Allaah and pray for forgiveness to actual sighting of the eclipse and not to the reports of the astronomers.
What all the Muslims must do is adhere to the Sunnah and act in accordance with it, and to beware of everything that is contrary to it.
Hence we know that those who offer the eclipse prayer on the basis of astronomers’ reports are making a mistake and going against the Sunnah.
It should also be noted that it is not prescribed for the people who live in a country where the eclipse is not happening to offer the prayer, because the Messenger (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) connected the command to pray etc to actual sighting of the eclipse, not to news from astronomers that an eclipse was going to happen, or to its happening in another country. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)”
[al Hashr 59:7]
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow”
[al Ahzaab 33:21]
When the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) offered the eclipse prayer, when that happened in Madeenah and the people saw it, Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):
“And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad’s) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them”
[al Noor 24:63]
It is known that he was the most knowledgeable and most sincere of people, and that he was the one who conveyed the rulings from Allaah. If it was prescribed to offer the eclipse prayer on the basis of astronomers’ reports, or when an eclipse occurs in another region that is only seen by the local inhabitants, then he would have said so and would have guided his ummah to do that. Since he did not say that, rather he said the opposite, and he told his ummah to base their actions on actual sighting of the eclipse, we know from that that this prayer is only prescribed for those who see the eclipse and in whose land it occurs. And Allaah is the Source of strength.
Kitaab Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah li Samaahat al Shaykh ‘Abd al ‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd Allaah ibn Baaz , 13/30.
There will be a solar eclipse in some of the Northern Hemisphere tomorrow (Friday) morning . Hope the masjids will be reviving the sunnah of the salaat ul kusoof.
Stunningly beautiful adhaan from the Dome of the Rock in Masjid ul Aqsa Download (right click and choose "save target/link as").
This is a clear message for mankind in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is only One God, and that those of understanding may take heed (14:52)
Indeed Allah knows, and you know not (16: 74, part)
Solar and lunar eclipses are cues to repenting before Allāh and reminders for the Day of Judgment, when the sun, moon and stars will all lose their radiance, and a manifestation of Allāh’s Power and Might.
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ says:
A solar and lunar eclipse does not take place upon the life or death of any person, but they are creations from His creation. Allāh changes in His creation whatever He wishes. So whichever of the two eclipse, perform ṣalāh until it brightens up, or Allāh brings forth a big matter (i.e. the Day of Judgement). (Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ)
Sayyidunā Abū Bakrah RA narrates that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: ‘The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allāh and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone but Allāh frightens His devotees with them.’ (Bukhārī)
One should also seek to remember Allāh ﷻ through dhikr and duʿā’, give in charity, seek forgiveness, recite the takbīr and seek refuge in Allāh ﷻ from the punishment of the grave as stipulated in various aḥādīth.
May Allāh ﷻ grant us the tawfīq and strength to do so and guide us all to His pleasure.
Last edited by Insaanah; 09-28-2015 at 09:17 AM.
Reason: Added last sentence
Stunningly beautiful adhaan from the Dome of the Rock in Masjid ul Aqsa Download (right click and choose "save target/link as").
This is a clear message for mankind in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is only One God, and that those of understanding may take heed (14:52)
Indeed Allah knows, and you know not (16: 74, part)
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Salaat al Kusoof ( Eclipse prayer)
sister,
. Hope the masjids will be reviving the sunnah of the salaat ul kusoof.
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