Imam al-Asr Masjid

In the Name of Allah, the Infinitely Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

Solar Eclipse & Salat al-Ayat

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024

Assalam Alaykum!

There will be a solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 in the Washington area. The Salat al-Aayaat can be performed anytime between 2:06 PM and 3:20 PM.

The "Prayer for Divine Signs" (Salat al-Ayaat) will be obligatory during the eclipse. The prayer can be performed anytime between the beginning of the partial eclipse until the time of moonset, which will take place before the eclipse actually ends.

Please note that many news sources mention the time when the "penumbral eclipse" begins. This does not count as the start of the true eclipse, and the prayer cannot be performed at that time.

Salat al-Ayaat (The Prayer of Divine Signs)

During a solar or lunar eclipse, it is obligatory (wajib) to perform a special prayer called Salat al-Ayaat. The prayer becomes wajib even if the moon or the sun are partially eclipsed, and even if they do not engender any fear.

The time of Salat al-Ayaat sets in as the eclipse starts and remains until the eclipse is over. It is better, however, not to delay the prayer until the reversal of eclipse commences, although it may be possible that the completion of Salat al-Ayaat may coincide with the time of reversal.

How to perform the long version of the two cycle Salat al-Ayaat prayer

1. Make the intention (Niyyah) of offering the prayer as "Salat al-Ayaat".

2. Say the Takbir: Allahu Akbar.

3. Recite Surah al-Fatiha and any other complete Surah. Afterwards, perform a ruku'.

4. After finishing the ruku', then stand and recite Surat al-Fatiha and any other Surah and then perform another ruku'.

5. Repeat Step 5 a total of five times. After the fifth ruku', go down to perform two sujud (prostrations).

6. After finishing the two sujud, stand up again. Complete Step 5 a total of five times (to be clear, each time should include a Surat al-Fatiha, another complete Surah, and a ruku'). Similarly to the first cycle of the prayer, perform two sujud after the fifth ruku'.

7. Thereafter, complete the prayer with a Tashahud and Salaam.

How to perform the short version of the two cycle Salaat al-Ayaat prayer

1. Make the intention (Niyyah) of offering the prayer as "Salat al-Ayaat".

2. Say the Takbir: Allahu Akbar.

3. Recite Surat al-Fatiha and PART of another Surah (at least one verse). Afterwards, perform a ruku'.

4. After finishing the ruku', then stand and recite the next part of the Surah. You WILL NOT repeat Surat al-Fatiha. For your convenience, choose a Surah that can be easily divided into five parts.

5. Repeat step 4 until you have completed a total of FIVE ruku'. You should complete your Surah before the fifth ruku'. (We suggest picking from among the following surahs: Surah Qadr or Surah Falaq as they divide easily into five parts.) After completing all five ruku', go down to perform two sujood.

6. After finishing the two sujud, stand up again. For the second cycle of this prayer, complete steps 3 & 4 again.

7. Thereafter, complete the prayer with a Tashahhud and Salaam.

Please note:

• If a woman is in her period of hayd (menstrual bleeding), she does not need to perform the prayer and does not need to make it up afterwards.

• Click here for more information regarding Salat al-Ayaat prayers.

Jazakum Allah Khairan -

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