The Solar Eclipse and Its Significance

March 16th 2015

Shaykh-ul-Ḥadīth Ḥaḍrat Mawlāna Ādam Ṣāḥib رَحِمَهُ الله:

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ السَّائِبِ ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو ، قَالَ : انْكسفَتِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمًا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي ، حَتَّى لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرْكَعُ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ ، فَلَمْ يَكَدْ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ ، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ ، فَلَمْ يَكَدْ أَنْ يَسْجُدَ ، ثُمَّ سَجَدَ فَلَمْ يَكَدْ أَنْ يَرْفَعَ رَأْسَهُ ، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ ، فَلَمْ يَكَدْ أَنْ يَسْجُدَ ، ثُمَّ سَجَدَ فَلَمْ يَكَدْ أَنْ يَرْفَعَ رَأْسَهُ ، فَجَعَلَ يَنْفُخُ وَيَبْكِي ، وَيَقُولُ : " رَبِّ أَلَمْ تَعِدْنِي أَنْ لا تُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنَا فِيهِمْ ؟ رَبِّ أَلَمْ تَعِدْنِي أَنْ لا تُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ؟ وَنَحْنُ نَسْتَغْفِرُكَ " . فَلَمَّا صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ انْجَلَتِ الشَّمْسُ ، فَقَامَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى , وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : " إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لا يَنْكَسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ وَلا لِحَيَاتِهِ ، فَإِذَا انْكَسَفَا , فَافْزَعُوا إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى "

'Abdullah Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports: ''In the time of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam there once occurred a solar eclipse (According to the majority of the 'ulama this incident took place in the tenth year hijri). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam went into the masjid, commenced salaah, and stood in qiyaam for so long that it was felt that he did not intend to perform the ruku'. (In another narration it is stated that he recited the Surah Baqarah.)

He then performed such a long ruku as if he did not want to come up from the Ruku'. Then in the same manner after standing up from the ruku' he stood up for such a long time as if he did not want to perform sajdah, here too he kept his mubaarak head on the ground for such a long time as if he was not going to lift his mubaarak head.

In this manner he did the same after lifting the head and sitting in jalsa, and after the jalsa in the second sajdah. In short, in every rukn of the salaah this was done, that every rukn was so long, as if this rukn was going to be performed till the end, and there is nothing after it. (In the same manner he performed the second rak'ah, and in the last sajdah), due to the intense fear he began taking heavy breaths and crying, and began pleading to the Almighty Allah that 'O Allah, it is only You that have promised that when these people make istighfaar there will be no punishment'.

This saying of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam refers to the aayah that is at the end of the ninth juz: ''But Allah would not punish them while thou was with them, nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness;.-Surah Al-Anfaal,33. The Solar Eclipse and Its Significance

When Rasūlullāh ﷺ completed the Ṣalāh, the sun had already cleared. He then delivered a sermon, praising and glorifying Allāh Ta‘ālā, and addressed the gathering. He clarified that the sun and moon do not eclipse due to the birth or death of anyone. This misconception had existed during the time of Jāhiliyyah (ignorance)—in fact, on this day, the Prophet’s ﷺ son had passed away, and some believed the eclipse occurred for this reason. However, Rasūlullāh ﷺ explained that these celestial events are among the signs of Allāh Ta‘ālā, serving as reminders and warnings for His creation so that they may turn to Him in fear and devotion. He instructed:

"When an eclipse occurs, immediately turn towards Allāh—engage in istighfār (seeking forgiveness) and perform Ṣalāh."

The Importance of This Ṣalāh

Tomorrow, a solar eclipse will take place. This is a rare and significant event, and we must spend this time in ‘Ibādah (worship) and avoid wasting it.

This Ṣalāh is of great importance—let it not be said that someone remained unaware of it.

• Women should remain at home and engage in the remembrance of Allāh ﷻ.

• From 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM (specifically for the solar eclipse in 2015), they should recite the Qur’ān, pray, and make du‘ā.

A Reminder of the Darkness of the Grave

Allāmah Ibn Munayir رحمه الله explains that the eclipse is a reminder of the darkness of the grave—just as the world is momentarily engulfed in darkness, so too will the grave be dark.

If a person fears Allāh ﷻ, they will be successful; without this fear, there is no success. The fear of Allāh is essential.

The moment Rasūlullāh ﷺ saw the eclipse, he hurried to the Masjid to perform Ṣalāh, calling everyone to join him. There was only one solar eclipse recorded during his lifetime. At that time, there was no way to predict an eclipse, making it an even greater sign for reflection.

A Reflection of the Day of Qiyāmah

The eclipse also serves as a reminder of the darkness on the Day of Qiyāmah (Judgment Day). This is a time to reflect on the grave, the Hereafter, and to turn to Allāh in repentance and devotion.

For those unable to stand in Ṣalāh, they may sit and perform the prayer.

What to Do During the Solar Eclipse

• Engage in the remembrance of Allāh ﷻ.

• Recite the Qur’ān and take this time to worship.

• Perform Ṣalāh during this period.

• Reflect on the Ākhirah (Hereafter) and the grave, and make du‘ā for success in the next life.

• Contemplate the power and might of Allāh ﷻ.

May Allāh ﷻ grant us the ability to benefit from these signs and turn to Him sincerely. Āmīn.

Some advice in another majlis regarding the eclipse: https://www.kalimatalhikmah.co.uk/post/2015/03/18/solar-eclipse

Link to Hadhrat's bayan and salah: https://youtu.be/rjYsJbm2Jnk?feature=shared