Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Abu Masood Ansari Uqbah bin Amr narrates that during the blessed era of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was once a solar eclipse. People said that the sun was eclipsed because of the death of the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) son, Ibrahim. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that the sun and the moon are not eclipsed because of anyone’s life or death. These are signs of Allah; when you see them eclipsed, then perform prayer.

Hazrat Nu’man bin Bashir narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the eclipse prayer just like your (regular) prayer; he also performed bowing (ruku’) and prostration (sajdah) in it.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr narrates that once during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the sun was eclipsed. You and we stood up, and you said: O people! The sun and the moon are among the signs of Allah. When either of them is eclipsed, proceed towards the mosques.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the eclipse prayer with eight bowings (ruku) and four prostrations (sajdah).

The same statement is also narrated from Hazrat Tawus himself.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that once during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was a solar eclipse. He immediately engaged in prayer and continued to pray until the sun became bright again. When the sun became bright, he praised and glorified Allah and said, "The sun and the moon are among the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse because of anyone's death or life. These are the signs of Allah. When you see them eclipsed, perform prayer and give charity."

It is also narrated with similar meaning but different wording through another chain of transmission.

Hazrat Jabir narrates that during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when his son Ibrahim passed away, the sun was eclipsed. People said that the sun was eclipsed because of Ibrahim’s death. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led the people in prayer with six bowings (ruku) and four prostrations (sajdah). First, he said the takbeer, then recited (Qur’an) and made a long recitation, then bowed for a duration equal to the standing. Then he raised his head from ruku, then recited less than the first recitation, then bowed for a duration equal to the standing. Then he raised his head from ruku and recited less than the second recitation, then bowed for a duration equal to that standing. Then he raised his head from ruku and bent down for prostration and performed two prostrations. Then he stood up and performed three bowings, each preceding ruku being longer than the following one. And his bowings were equal in length to his prostrations. Then he moved back and the people standing in rows behind him also moved back, until they reached the women. Then he moved forward and the people moved forward with him until he stood at his place. Then, when the sun became bright again, he completed the prayer and then said: O people! The sun and the moon are signs of Allah; they are not eclipsed because of anyone’s death. When you see them eclipsed, pray until they become bright again.

Hazrat Saib bin Malik narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offered two rak‘ahs on the occasion of a solar eclipse.

Hasan narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) performed the eclipse prayer with ten bowings (ruku) and four prostrations (sajdah).

Hazrat Tawus narrates that during the time of Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), there was a solar eclipse. Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) led two rak'ahs of prayer near Zamzam and performed four prostrations in each rak'ah.

Hazrat Abu Bakrah narrates that during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when the sun or the moon was eclipsed, he said: The sun and the moon are signs of Allah; they are not eclipsed because of anyone’s death. When you see them eclipsed, perform prayer until they become bright again.

Ibrahim says that the elders used to say that when there is a solar eclipse, pray until it becomes bright again.

Hazrat Asma states that once during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was a solar eclipse, so he performed such a long prayer that I became unconscious. He completed the prayer after the sun became bright again.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The eclipse of the moon and the sun is a sign from Allah; when this happens, perform prayer.

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Samurah narrates that during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was once a solar eclipse. At that time, I was practicing archery. I threw down my arrows and ran to see what command the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would give on the occasion of the solar eclipse. When I arrived, he was standing in prayer with his hands raised. In that prayer, he glorified Allah, praised Him, declared His greatness, and proclaimed His oneness, then supplicated. This continued until the sun became bright again. When the sun became bright, he recited two surahs and performed two rak‘ahs.

Hazrat Thalabah bin Abbad Abdi says that I was once present at the sermon of Hazrat Samurah bin Jundub, and he mentioned that I and an Ansari boy were aiming at a prey during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when the sun had remained above the horizon for the viewer’s eye about two or three spears’ length. It became as black as the black herb called Tanumah. One of us said to his companion, “Let’s go to the mosque; surely the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) will say something to his ummah about this.” We immediately went to the mosque and saw that there was a crowd of people and people had gathered. When the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came out to go to the mosque, we were fortunate to go with him. He moved forward and led the people in such a long prayer as he had never led before. We did not hear his voice in it. Then he performed such a long prostration as he had never done before. We did not hear his voice. He did the same in the second rak’ah. When he was sitting in the second rak’ah’s qa’dah, the sun became bright again. Then he said the salam (to end the prayer).

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that there are six bowings (ruku) and four prostrations (sajdah) in the solar and lunar eclipse prayers.

Hazrat Asim bin Ubaidullah narrates that Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) was running towards the mosque at the time of a solar eclipse, and his sandals were with him.

Hasan says that in the eclipse prayer, two units (rak‘ahs) will be performed.

Hazrat Mughira narrates that once there was darkness in Kufa. At that time, Hazrat Hani bin Nuwayrah came, and with him was one of his companions. Both of them went to Hazrat Tamim bin Hazlam. Hazrat Tamim bin Hazlam was among the companions of Hazrat Abdullah. These two gentlemen saw Tamim bin Hazlam praying, so they said to him, "Go to your home and pray until the sun becomes bright, because this is what has been commanded."

Hazrat Alqamah says that when you see some change in the horizon of the sky, immediately perform prayer.

Hazrat Isa bin Abi Azza says that when people became anxious during a solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, or any such situation, Hazrat Sha'bi said that go to the mosque because on such occasions going to the mosque is Sunnah.

Ibrahim says that we offer two rak‘ahs during an eclipse.

Hazrat Alaa bin Ziyad, regarding the prayer of lunar eclipse, says that the Imam will recite (Qira'at) in the standing position and then bow (Ruku). When he says "Sami' Allahu liman Hamidah," he should look towards the moon. If the moon has not become bright, he should recite again, then bow, then raise his head. When he says "Sami' Allahu liman Hamidah," he should look towards the moon; if it has not become bright, he should recite again, then bow, then raise his head. When he says "Sami' Allahu liman Hamidah," he should look towards the moon. If it has become bright, he should prostrate (Sajdah), then stand up and add another rak'ah with it. If the moon has not become bright, he should not prostrate until some part of the moon becomes bright. Then, if after that the eclipse happens again, he should not perform this prayer.

Hazrat Abu Ayyub Hijri says that once there was a solar eclipse in Basra and Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) was the governor there. He led the people in prayer and recited at length in it. Then he performed a long bowing (ruku‘), then raised his head and prostrated. Then in the second rak‘ah he did the same. When he finished, he said that on the occasion of an eclipse, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to lead the prayer in this manner. I asked, "Which surahs did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) recite in these rak‘ahs?" He replied, "Surah al-Baqarah and Surah Aal-e-Imran."

Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that once during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was a solar eclipse, so it was announced that the prayer had been established. In this prayer, he performed two bowings (ruku) with one prostration (sajdah), then stood up and again performed two bowings with one prostration. Then the sun became bright again. Upon this, Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that I have never performed longer prostrations or longer bowings than these.

Hazrat Mughira narrates that on the day when the son of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Ibrahim, passed away, people said that the sun was eclipsed because of Ibrahim’s demise. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that the moon and the sun are signs of Allah. They are not eclipsed because of anyone’s life or death. When you see them eclipsed, remain engaged in prayer and supplication until they become bright again.