16/5. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1463 — Pray Until the Eclipse Ends
The command to pray when there is an eclipse until it is over
Salat al-Kusuf Hadith: Pray Until the Eclipse Is Over
Sunan an-Nasai : 1463
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1463
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَامِلٍ الْمَرْوَزِيُّ، عَنْ هُشَيْمٍ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَإِنَّهُمَا لاَ يَنْكَسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ وَلاَ لِحَيَاتِهِ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُمَا فَصَلُّوا حَتَّى تَنْجَلِيَ " .
Abu Bakra Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The sun and moon are two signs of Allah(ﷺ), and they do not become eclipsed for the death or birth of anyone. If you see that then pray until it (the eclipse) is over.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1463In-book reference : Book 16, Hadith 5English translation : Vol. 2, Book 16, Hadith 1464
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1463
This eclipse prayer hadith adds an important detail: when the eclipse is seen, people should pray until it is over. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) says the sun and moon are two signs of Allah and that they do not eclipse due to anyone's death or birth. The wording guides the heart away from false links and toward worship. For people searching how long to pray during an eclipse in Islam, this narration gives the simple answer found in the text: pray until the eclipse clears. It also shows that the event is treated seriously, not as a show or a strange story about people. The response is prayer before Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- The eclipse is described as a sign from Allah.
- It should not be tied to death or birth.
- Prayer continues until the eclipse is over.
- The believer's focus during an eclipse is worship.
