A Moment with Our Prophet, Muhammad (S)
By Imam Zijad Delic
Day 261: Khusuf or Kusuf Prayer (the Sun and the Moon Eclipse Prayer)
It was narrated by ‘Aisha (r) that the Prophet (S) said, after finishing the Khusuf prayer: “The sun and the moon are two signs of the numerous signs of Allah. They do not eclipse as the sign of death or life (birth) of anyone. So, when you see the eclipse, make du’a to Allah, say Takbir, offer Prayer (Salat al Khusuf) and give Sadaqa.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ، لاَ يَنْخَسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ وَلاَ لِحَيَاتِهِ، فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ ذَلِكَ فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ وَكَبِّرُوا، وَصَلُّوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا
Source: Bukhari, Muslim
Transliteration: “Fa Idha Ra’aytum Dhalik, Fad’ullaha, Wa Kabbiru, Wa Sallu Wa Tasaddaqu.”
On the tenth year after the Hijrah of Muhammad (S) from Makkah to Madinah, the solar eclipse took place on the same day when the son of the Prophet (S) Ibrahim, passed away.
People said that the eclipse took place because of the death of the son of the Prophet (S).
When the Prophet (S) heard about it, as narrated by Abu Mas`ud (r), he (S) said: “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of someone from the people but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them, stand up and pray.” (Bukhari)
حَدَّثَنَا شِهَابُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ قَيْسٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مَسْعُودٍ، يَقُولُ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ لاَ يَنْكَسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ، وَلَكِنَّهُمَا آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ، فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُمَا فَقُومُوا فَصَلُّوا ”.
So, the wisdom behind the eclipse of the Sun and the Moon is that the Almighty reminds His servants of His signs and gives them an opportunity to engage in prayer, forgiveness, repentance and doing good deeds.
The scholars agree that the prayer of the eclipses is a confirmed sunnah which is to be performed by both men and women.
‘Aisha and Asmaa bint Abi Bakr (r) prayed the Khusuf Prayer with the Prophet (S) at the mosque.
Salat al Khusuf cannot be prayed at any random times.
The scholars also agree that the time for this prayer is from the start of either of the eclipses until it ends.
In the case of the eclipse on November 19th, 2021, it begins at 1:02 am and ends at 7:03 am.
This would be the longest partial lunar eclipse in the last 600 years.
It is recommended to pray it in congregation although the congregation is not a condition for it.
The sunnah is to be performed in a mosque as the Prophet (S) went to the mosque immediately after the solar eclipse appeared.
The people are called to it by announcing As-Salatu jami`ah “prayer in congregation.”
The majority of the scholars hold that it is to consist of two rak`ahs (unit of prayer) and that in every rak`ah one is to perform two bowings (ruku`), instead of the customary one rak’ah.
`Aisha (r) narrates: “There was a solar eclipse during the time of the Prophet (S) and the Prophet (S) went to the mosque, and he stood and made the takbir (saying Allah is greatest), and he put the people in rows behind him, and he made a lengthy recital during the Prayer. Next, he made the takbir and made a long bowing, but it was not as long as the recital. Following that, he raised his head, saying: ‘Allah hears him who praises Him. And to You, our Lord, belongs the praise.’ Afterward, he stood and made another long recital, but it was shorter than the first one. Again, he made the takbir and made a bowing that was shorter than the first one. Then, again he said: ‘Allah hears him who praises Him. And to You, our Lord, belongs the praise.’ After this, he prostrated. He did the same in the next rak`ah and finished four bowings and four sujud (prostration). The sun appeared again before he finished. Finally, he stood and addressed the people and praised Allah as He deserves it and said: ‘The sun and the moon are two signs from among Allah’s signs and there is no eclipse due to someone’s death or life (i.e., birth). If you see them occurring, hurry to pray.’” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
In another narration of Aisha (r), she narrates that the Prophet (S) said after finishing the Khusuf prayer: “The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So, when you see the eclipse, make du’a to Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ، لاَ يَنْخَسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ وَلاَ لِحَيَاتِهِ، فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ ذَلِكَ فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ وَكَبِّرُوا، وَصَلُّوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا
Ibn `Abbas (r) said: “There was a solar eclipse during the lifetime of the Prophet (S) and he prayed with a long standing, similar to what it takes to recite Surat Al-Baqarah. Then, he made a long bowing. After which, he stood and made another long recital but shorter than the first one. Again, he went into bowing, but for a shorter time than in the first one. Following this, he made sajdah [twice]. Next, he made another long standing (qiyam) which was also not as long as the first. After that, he made another lengthy bowing, but it was not as long as the first one. Again, he made another long standing [and recital] but it was not as long as the first one. After which, he made another lengthy bowing, but it was not as long as the previous one. Following this, he went into prostration [and so on]. When he had finished, the sun had appeared. He concluded his prayer and said: ‘The sun and the moon are two signs from the signs of Allah, and there is no eclipse due to the death or life of anyone. If you see it, make remembrance of Allah.’” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Imam Ibn Al Qayyim observes: “The authentic, clear, and considered sunnah concerning salat Al Khusuf is that the bowing is to be repeated [twice] in each rak`ah.
This is based on the hadith from ‘Aisha, Ibn `Abbas, Jabir, and others.
This is the opinion of Malik, Ash-Shafi`i, and Ahmad.
Abu Hanifa is of the opinion that salat Al Khusuf consists of two rak`ahs, similar to ‘Eid prayer and Jumu`ah, based on the hadith of An-Nu`man ibn Bashir (r) who says: “The Messenger of Allah (S) prayed Salat Al Khusuf with us like one of your (regular) prayers. He went into bowing and performed prostration, praying two rak`ahs by two rak`ahs, and supplicated to Allah until the sun reappeared clearly again.” In the hadith from Qabsah al-Hillali, the Prophet said: “If you see that [i.e., an eclipse], pray as you pray the obligatory prayer.” (Ahmad and An-Nasa’i)
The reciting of Surat Al-Fatihah is obligatory in each rak’ah, and one may recite whatever one wishes to, after Al-Fatihah. It is allowed to make the recital audible or silent, but Bukhari says: “Audible recital is more proper.”
What are then the recommended acts of Salat al Khusuf/Kusuf?
- It should be performed in congregation, but it is still acceptable if it is observed individually.
- It should be in the mosque and women should not be prevented from attending it.
- The Salat should be prolonged by elongating its standing, bowing and prostrations, except if the eclipse clears (disappears during Salat), when it should be completed quickly.
- The second rak’ah should be shorter than the first in standing, bowing and prostration.
- The imam should give admonition to the people by reminding them about the power of Allah, explaining the wisdom behind the eclipse of the sun and the moon, and urging them to do good deeds and to avoid forbidden acts, all after the Salat.
- To say several supplications, pleading with Allah, seeking forgiveness, giving charity and other good deeds.
- It is permissible to raise both hands when supplicating during an eclipse of the sun as evidenced by the hadith of Abdur-Rahman bn Samrah (r), who said: “Then I went to see the Prophet (S) and (I saw him) while he was standing praying (at the time of the eclipse of the sun), raising his hands (in du’a).” (Muslim)
Ya Rabb! Guide us to practice this confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet so that we utilize this opportunity to remember the Creator and ask Him for forgiveness and guidance!
Allahumma Amin!
