10 Authentic Hadiths and Method of the Eclipse Prayer (Salat al-Kusuf)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of anyone. They are two of the signs of Allah. When you see them eclipsed, stand for prayer and supplicate to Allah until it is over."
(Bukhari 1041; Muslim 901)
In another narration:
"The eclipse of the sun and moon are signs from Allah. They do not occur for anyone’s death or life, but Allah causes them to appear to instill fear in His servants. When you see them, hasten to remembrance of Allah, supplication, and seeking forgiveness."
(Bukhari 1050; Muslim 912)
The people of Jahiliyyah believed eclipses occurred when a significant person was born or died. The Prophet ﷺ clearly refuted this, stating that eclipses are manifestations of Allah’s power, unrelated to human events.
Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (RA) narrated:
When the sun eclipsed, the Prophet ﷺ instructed a man to announce:
"As-Salatu Jami‘ah" – "The prayer is gathering (come together for prayer)."
(Bukhari 1045; Muslim 912)
Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
During this prayer, the Prophet ﷺ saw Paradise and Hell. He said he saw most of Hell’s inhabitants were women, due to ingratitude to their husbands.
(Bukhari 1052; Muslim 907)
When reciting after rising from the first rukūʿ within the same rak‘ah, one does not repeat Surah al-Fatihah separately — it is a continuation of the rak‘ah.
Asma’ (RA) said:
When the eclipse occurred, the Prophet ﷺ was so concerned that he took a garment from someone and later his own cloak was brought. His qiyam was so long that she almost sat down, but remained standing when she saw weaker women still standing.
(Muslim 905)
Jabir (RA) narrated:
During a hot day, the Prophet ﷺ led the eclipse prayer with such a long qiyam that some people began to collapse.
(Muslim 904)
Asma’ (RA) said:
She fainted during the long qiyam and poured water over her head from her water-skin.
(Bukhari 916; Muslim 901)
The Prophet ﷺ delivered a sermon after Salat al-Kusuf, praising Allah and urging fear of Him.
(Bukhari 1052; Muslim 907)
In the Prophet’s ﷺ time, even women attended this prayer. It was performed with deep humility and fear of Allah. Today, many neglect it entirely when an eclipse occurs. Muslims should revive this Sunnah, attending the mosque and participating in the prayer with the same spirit of reverence.
Prophetic Guidance Regarding Solar and Lunar Eclipses
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of anyone. They are two of the signs of Allah. When you see them eclipsed, stand for prayer and supplicate to Allah until it is over."
(Bukhari 1041; Muslim 901)
In another narration:
"The eclipse of the sun and moon are signs from Allah. They do not occur for anyone’s death or life, but Allah causes them to appear to instill fear in His servants. When you see them, hasten to remembrance of Allah, supplication, and seeking forgiveness."
(Bukhari 1050; Muslim 912)
Refutation of Pre-Islamic Beliefs
The people of Jahiliyyah believed eclipses occurred when a significant person was born or died. The Prophet ﷺ clearly refuted this, stating that eclipses are manifestations of Allah’s power, unrelated to human events.
Announcement of the Eclipse Prayer
Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (RA) narrated:
When the sun eclipsed, the Prophet ﷺ instructed a man to announce:
"As-Salatu Jami‘ah" – "The prayer is gathering (come together for prayer)."
(Bukhari 1045; Muslim 912)
Complete Method of Salat al-Kusuf
Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
- Two rak‘ahs in congregation.
- First Rak‘ah:
- Very long qiyam (recitation like Surah al-Baqarah).
- Long rukūʿ.
- Standing again for a long qiyam (shorter than the first).
- Second rukūʿ (shorter than the first).
- Two sujūd.
- Second Rak‘ah: Same as first.
- Then the Prophet ﷺ delivered a khutbah, praising Allah and reminding people that the eclipse is not due to birth or death, but a sign of Allah.
During this prayer, the Prophet ﷺ saw Paradise and Hell. He said he saw most of Hell’s inhabitants were women, due to ingratitude to their husbands.
(Bukhari 1052; Muslim 907)
Reading Sequence
When reciting after rising from the first rukūʿ within the same rak‘ah, one does not repeat Surah al-Fatihah separately — it is a continuation of the rak‘ah.
Fear and Humility of the Prophet ﷺ
Asma’ (RA) said:
When the eclipse occurred, the Prophet ﷺ was so concerned that he took a garment from someone and later his own cloak was brought. His qiyam was so long that she almost sat down, but remained standing when she saw weaker women still standing.
(Muslim 905)
Eclipse in Summer Heat
Jabir (RA) narrated:
During a hot day, the Prophet ﷺ led the eclipse prayer with such a long qiyam that some people began to collapse.
(Muslim 904)
Women’s Participation
Asma’ (RA) said:
She fainted during the long qiyam and poured water over her head from her water-skin.
(Bukhari 916; Muslim 901)
Khutbah After the Prayer
The Prophet ﷺ delivered a sermon after Salat al-Kusuf, praising Allah and urging fear of Him.
(Bukhari 1052; Muslim 907)
Key Lessons for Today
In the Prophet’s ﷺ time, even women attended this prayer. It was performed with deep humility and fear of Allah. Today, many neglect it entirely when an eclipse occurs. Muslims should revive this Sunnah, attending the mosque and participating in the prayer with the same spirit of reverence.
