16/16. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1491 — Eclipse as a Sign and Warning
Another version
Eclipse as a Sign of Allah: Pray Until Fear Is Lifted
Sunan an-Nasai : 1491
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1491
أَخْبَرَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَانْكَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَجُرُّ رِدَاءَهُ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ وَثَابَ إِلَيْهِ النَّاسُ فَصَلَّى بِنَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَلَمَّا انْكَشَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ " إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ يُخَوِّفُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِهِمَا عِبَادَهُ وَإِنَّهُمَا لاَ يَخْسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ وَلاَ لِحَيَاتِهِ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ ذَلِكَ فَصَلُّوا حَتَّى يُكْشَفَ مَا بِكُمْ " . وَذَلِكَ أَنَّ ابْنًا لَهُ مَاتَ يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فَقَالَ لَهُ نَاسٌ فِي ذَلِكَ .
Abu Bakra Narrated from:
We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when the sun became eclipsed. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out dragging his garment, until he came to the masjid, and the people gathered around him. He led us in praying two rak'ahs and when (the eclipse) ended he said: 'The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah (SWT) by means of which Allah (SWT), the Mighty and Sublime, strikes fear into His slaves. They do not become eclipsed for the death or birth of anyone. If you see that, then pray until Allah (SWT)r relieves you of fear.' That was because his son named Ibrahim had died, and the people suggested to him that (the eclipse) happened because of that.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1491In-book reference : Book 16, Hadith 33English translation : Vol. 2, Book 16, Hadith 1492
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1491
This Hadith about the eclipse as a sign of Allah was narrated by Abu Bakrah. The people were with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم when the sun became eclipsed. He went out dragging his garment until he reached the masjid, and the people gathered around him. He led them in two rak'ahs. When the eclipse ended, he said that the sun and moon are two signs of Allah. Through them, Allah strikes fear into His slaves. They do not eclipse because of anyone's death or birth. If people see that, they should pray until Allah relieves them of fear. The narration also says this was around the death of his son Ibrahim, when some people suggested the eclipse was because of that. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected that idea.
What we learn from this hadith
- Eclipses are signs through which Allah may bring fear to His slaves.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed two rak'ahs during the eclipse.
- The eclipse was not linked to the death of Ibrahim.
- Prayer is the response taught when such fear appears.
