Solar and Lunar Eclipse in Islam

What is Solar and Lunar eclipse and how Solar and Lunar eclipse occur? That is what I'm gonna discuss today.

Muslims believe that everything in the heavens and on earth is created by Allah Almighty, the Creator of the universe. Islam, what Muslims believe in, is a religion based upon reasons and proofs which strongly urges mankind to study and explore the universe and the world around us. 

Allah tells us throughout the Quran to contemplate and investigate the heavens and the earth. The Quran says:

“Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You (Above such a thing); then protect us from the punishment of the fire” (Quran: 3:190-191)

“It is He who created the nights and the days and the sun and the moon. All swim along, each in its orbit.” (Quran 21:33)

The last verse from the Quran signs towards the orbit that the planets such as the moon and the earth swim along. As this article is about the solar and lunar eclipse, let us first take a look at the science behind the eclipse.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth comes in between the sun and the moon such that the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon, and a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes in between the Sun and the Earth such that Moon casts a shadow on the Earth. An eclipse occurs only when the Moon’s plane passes the ecliptic plane.

Islam about the Lunar and Solar Eclipse

When the son of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Ibrahim died, some superstitious people said that the Sun eclipsed due to the death of Ibrahim, because he was the young child and also due to the sadness of the Prophet (PBUH). When the Holy Prophet came to know about it, he said:

'”The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of someone from the people, but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them, stand up and pray.'"

This means that the variation of the day and the night, swimming of the Moon and the Earth, does not depend on someone’s life or death, happiness or sadness. In fact, it is the God who governs them in their orbit and is one of the signs of the Power and Majesty of Allah.

Prayer during Eclipse

During solar and lunar eclipse, a prayer has been recommended by Islam for its followers, it is called the Prayer of the Eclipse – Salat-ul-Khusuf. This prayer is offered in congregation. Abdullah bin Amr narrates: When the Sun eclipsed in the lifetime of the Prophet, an announcement was made that a prayer was to be offered in congregation. This prayer is two rakats with four bowing in the two rakats.

Conclusion

Therefore, there is no room for fear and superstitions in Islam surrounding solar and lunar eclipse. All we need to do is just to perform two rakats prayer when such an event occurs.