The Eclipse Prayers (صلاة الكسوف والخسوف)

Read the bilingual lesson for The Eclipse Prayers (صلاة الكسوف والخسوف) and test your understanding with a focused quiz.

Lesson

1. Solar Eclipse Prayer: Status and Congregation

سُنَّ رَكْعَتَانِ كَهَيْئَةِ النَّفْلِ لِلْكُسُوفِ بِإِمَامِ الْجُمُعَةِ أَوْ مَأْمُورِ السُّلْطَانِ، بِلَا أَذَانٍ وَلَا إِقَامَةٍ وَلَا جَهْرٍ وَلَا خُطْبَةٍ بَلْ يُنَادَى: الصَّلَاةُ جَامِعَةٌ • Fundamental Legal Status: Performing a two-rak'ah prayer during a solar eclipse (Kusuf) is classified as a Sunnah practice, performed in the same manner as other voluntary prayers. • Congregational Prerequisite: The congregational prayer for the solar eclipse can only be led by the official Friday Imam (Imam al-Jumu'ah) or an authorized representative of the Sultan (government authority). • Exclusion of Adhan and Iqamah: There is strictly no Adhan or Iqamah legislated for this prayer. • Method of Public Call: Worshippers are summoned to gather by calling out: "Al-Salatu Jami'ah" (The congregational prayer is established). • Recitation and Sermon Rules: The recitation must be performed silently (Sirran), and no sermon (Khutbah) is legislated afterward.

2. Performance Mechanics of Kusuf Prayer

وَسُنَّ تَطْوِيلُهُمَا، وَتَطْوِيلُ رُكُوعِهِمَا وَسُجُودِهِمَا • Prolonging the Units: It is a Sunnah to significantly prolong the recitation (Qira'ah) in both rak'ahs of the solar eclipse prayer. • Prolonging Bowing and Prostrations: Worshippers are legally recommended to extend the duration of the bowing (Ruku') and prostrations (Sujud). • General Procedure: Worshippers should engage in long recitations and extended glorifications to align the prayer's duration with the astronomical event.

3. Post-Prayer Supplication and Clearness of the Sun

ثُمَّ يَدْعُو الْإِمَامُ جَالِسًا مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ إِنْ شَاءَ أَوْ قَائِمًا مُسْتَقْبِلَ النَّاسِ، وَيُؤَمِّنُونَ عَلَى دُعَائِهِ حَتَّى يَكْمُلَ انْجِلَاءُ الشَّمْسِ • Postures for Supplication: Upon completing the two-rak'ah prayer, the Imam leads the supplication (Du'a): ◦ If he wishes, he may sit facing the Qiblah. ◦ If he wishes, he may stand facing the congregation. ◦ Followers' Participation: The followers (Muqtadi) listen attentively and utter "Amin". • Duration of Supplication: The supplication must continue continuously until the solar eclipse completely clears (Inji-la' al-Shams) and the sun returns to its normal state.

4. Lunar Eclipse and Other Environmental Calamities

وَإِنْ لَمْ يَحْضُرِ الْإِمَامُ صَلَّوْا فُرَادَى كَالْخُسُوفِ، وَالظُّلْمَةِ الْهَائِلَةِ نَهَارًا، وَالرِّيحِ الشَّدِيدَةِ، وَالْفَزَعِ • Individual Prayer: If the authorized Imam is absent, worshippers pray individually. The same individual form is stated for a lunar eclipse, terrifying daytime darkness, severe wind, and fear; no congregation is prescribed in this passage.

Practice questions

Question 1

Who is legally authorized to lead the congregational prayer during a solar eclipse (Kusuf)?

  • Any male Muslim who memorizes the Quran.
  • Only the Friday congregational Imam (Imam al-Jumu'ah) or an authorized representative of the Sultan.
  • Worshippers must always pray individually without any Imam.
  • Women-led congregations are preferred.

Question 2

There is no Adhan, Iqamah, or sermon (Khutbah) legislated for the solar eclipse prayer.

  • True
  • False

Question 3

What is the correct method of calling people to the solar eclipse prayer in the absence of the Adhan?

  • Saying "Hayya 'ala al-Salah" three times.
  • Calling out: "Al-Salatu Jami'ah".
  • Blowing a horn or ringing a bell.
  • No call is permitted; people must guess the time.

Question 4

For the lunar eclipse (Khusuf), worshippers must pray in a large congregation in the main mosque.

  • True
  • False

Question 5

How long should the Imam continue the post-prayer supplication (Du'a) during a solar eclipse?

  • For exactly ten minutes.
  • Until the eclipse completely clears and the sun returns to normal.
  • Until the time of the next obligatory prayer enters.
  • Only for the duration of reciting Surah al-Fatihah once.

Question 6

During severe windstorms or terrifying daytime darkness, it is recommended to pray voluntary prayers individually in one's home.

  • True
  • False

Question 7

Match the eclipse and calamity scenarios with their correct Hanafi congregational rulings:

Question 8

Sort the following actions in Solar Eclipse (Kusuf) prayer into "Sunnah/Recommended" and "Legally Prohibited/Disliked" categories:

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