10/5. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 911b — Pray During Eclipse
The Call For The Eclipse Prayer: "As-Salatu Jami'ah (The Prayer Is Being Assembled)
Pray During Eclipse Hadith and Signs of Allah
Sahih Muslim : 911b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 911b
وَحَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْعَنْبَرِيُّ، وَيَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُعْتَمِرٌ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ قَيْسٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ لَيْسَ يَنْكَسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلَكِنَّهُمَا آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَقُومُوا فَصَلُّوا " .
Abu Mas'ud Narrated from:
Abu Mas'ud reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Verily the sun and the moon do not eclipse on account of the death of any one of the people, but they are the two signs among the signs of Allah. So when you see it, stand up and observe prayer.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 911bIn-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 24USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1988
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 911b
This hadith about praying during an eclipse is short and clear. Abu Mas'ud reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said the sun and moon do not eclipse because of the death of anyone. Rather, they are two signs among the signs of Allah. When people see an eclipse, they should stand and pray. The hadith corrects a mistaken belief and gives a direct action. It does not ask people to guess hidden meanings. It points them to worship. For searchers looking for what to do during a solar eclipse in Islam, this narration gives the simple answer: stand up and pray.
What we learn from this hadith
- Eclipses should not be linked to the death of people.
- The sun and moon are signs from Allah.
- Seeing an eclipse should move a Muslim to prayer.
- The Prophet guided people away from false assumptions.
