What is the method of performing the Salat al-Kusuf?
Salat al-Kusuf is the prayer that is performed at the time of a solar or lunar eclipse. In Arabic grammar, various patterns are used for this, such as كَسَف (ضرب), تَكَسَّفَ (تفعّل), إِنْكَسَفَ (إنفعال). All of them mean “the sun or moon becoming eclipsed.” Khusuf is also used with the same meaning. According to some lexicographers, it is better to use the word كسوف for a solar eclipse and the word خسوف for a lunar eclipse.
It is narrated from Hadrat Mughirah ibn Shu’bah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah. They do not become eclipsed due to the death or life of anyone:
فإذا رأيتموهما فادعوا الله وصلوا حتى تنكشف
“So when you see them in that state, supplicate to Allah and pray until the eclipse of the sun is over.”
In another narration these words occur:
فإذا رأيتموهما فافزعوا إلى الصلاة
“When you see them, hasten to the prayer immediately.”
(al-Shawkani) Apparently it indicates obligation, but if the claim of consensus on its non-obligation is correct, then it would remove the obligation, otherwise not.
(al-Albani) A claim of such a consensus is not correct; therefore the view of obligation is the truth.
(Abu Awanah) He established the chapter: بيان وجوب صلاة الكسوف “The explanation of the obligation of the Salat al-Kusuf.”
(Abu Hanifah) Performing this prayer is obligatory.
(Jumhur) It is a confirmed sunnah.
(Rajih) The position of the majority (Jumhur) appears to be the preponderant one.
The more authentic narration regarding its method is that it consists of two rak’ahs, and each rak’ah has two bowings (ruku’).
It is narrated from Hadrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that during the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ there was a solar eclipse. The Prophet ﷺ performed the Salat al-Kusuf, in which he stood for a length equal to the recitation of Surah al-Baqarah, then he bowed for a very long time, then when he rose from the bowing he also stood for a long time but less than before, then again he bowed for a long time but less than the first bowing, then he prostrated, then he stood for a long time which was somewhat less than the first standing, then he performed a long bowing which was somewhat less than the first bowing, then he raised his head and stood for a long time which was less than the previous standing, and again performed a long bowing which was less than the first bowing, then he prostrated. Then, when he gave the salam, the sun had already become bright. The Prophet ﷺ also delivered a sermon to the people.
Three, four and five bowings are also reported.
It is narrated from Hadrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that during the era of prophethood the sun was eclipsed, and the Prophet ﷺ performed six bowings and four prostrations (in the two rak’ahs).
It is narrated in a report from Hadrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet ﷺ performed eight bowings and four prostrations (in the two rak’ahs).
In a report from Hadrat Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) it is mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ, in one rak’ah, after a long standing, performed five bowings and two prostrations, and then did the same in the second rak’ah.
The worshipper should recite between each of the two bowings, and it is also mentioned in the narrations that there is one bowing in each rak’ah.
Narrated Hadrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): The Prophet ﷺ led the eclipse prayer:
فقراً ثم ركع ثم قرأثم ركع ثم قرأ ثم ركع ثم سجد
“He recited, then bowed, then recited, then bowed, then recited, then bowed, then prostrated.”
➊ In a lengthy narration from Hadrat Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him), only one bowing is mentioned.
➋ In a narration from Hadrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him), one bowing is also mentioned.
➌ In the narration from Hadrat Abd al-Rahman bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him), the words are:
قرأ سورتين وصلي ركعتين
“He recited two surahs and performed two rak’ahs of prayer.”
Some people argue for the permissibility of a single bowing from the wording of the above hadith, but these words are not explicit in establishing a single bowing.
(Al-Albani) also holds that these words do not make this clear.
(Ibn al-Qayyim) The hadith of repeated bowing is more authentic in its chain, free from defect (‘illah) and idtirab (inconsistency), narrated from senior Companions, and contains more knowledge, so it is correct to adopt it.
◈ Researchers have preferred the view that the event of the eclipse prayer occurred only once during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ.
(Amir al-San’ani) All these narrations are the account of one single event.
(Ibn al-Qayyim) Senior Companions do not regard multiple occurrences (of the eclipse prayer) as correct.
(Shawkani) What is correct is that the eclipse prayer is established from the Prophet ﷺ only once.
(Al-Albani) The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led the eclipse prayer only once.
It should be noted that if this is a single event, then one of the various narrations will be preferred, and without hesitation the narration of two bowings, which is in the Sahihayn, is more authentic.
(Ibn Taymiyyah) holds this view.
(Malik, Ahmad, Shafi’i, Bukhari) Only the narration of two bowings has preference.
(Shawkani) Indeed, the hadiths of two bowings are more authentic.
On this occasion, making supplication, takbir, giving charity and seeking forgiveness is recommended.
➊ In a narration from Hadrat Mughirah bin Shu’bah (may Allah be pleased with him), it is stated that after performing the eclipse prayer, the Prophet ﷺ said:
فإذا رأيتموهما فادعوا الله وصلوا حتى ينجلي
“When you see these two (i.e., a solar or lunar eclipse), then supplicate to Allah and pray until it clears.”
➋ In a narration from Hadrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), it is stated that:
فإذا رأيتم ذلك فاذكروا الله وكبروا وصلوا وتصدقوا
“When you see a solar eclipse, mention Allah, say takbirs, pray and give charity.”
➌ In a narration from Hadrat Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him), it is stated that:
إذا رأيتم شيئا من ذلك فافزعوا إلى ذكر الله ودعاءه و استغفاره
“When you see anything of it (i.e., an eclipse of the sun or moon), immediately begin mentioning Allah, supplicating to Him and seeking forgiveness.”
