Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 8526 — The eclipse prayer: how many rakahs it

Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: In the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when his son Ibrahim passed away, the sun was eclipsed. The people said that the sun had been eclipsed because of Ibrahim's death. At this the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led the people in prayer with six bowings and four prostrations. First he said the takbir, then recited, and made the recitation long; then he bowed about as long as he had stood. Then he raised his head from bowing and recited less than the first recitation; then he bowed about as long as he had stood. Then he raised his head from bowing and recited less than the second recitation; then he bowed about as long as that standing. Then he raised his head from bowing and went down for the prostrations and made two prostrations. Then he stood and made three bowings, each bowing being longer than the one after it, and his bowings were about as long as his prostrations. Then he moved back, and the people standing in the rows behind him also moved back, until they reached the women. Then he moved forward and the people moved forward with him, until he came and stood in his place. Then, when the sun had become bright, he completed the prayer and said: "O people! The sun and the moon are signs of Allah; they are not eclipsed for anyone's death. When you see them eclipsed, then pray until they become clear."