Eclipse Prayer This Monday & Explanation on How to Perform Individually Or In Congregation
A solar eclipse will take place this Monday, April 8th inshallah. Imam Khalid Latif and Shaykh Faiyaz Jaffer offer explanations below on how the Sunni and Shia traditions respectively observe the Eclipse Prayer. Our recommendation is that you pray the prayer individually or in congregation if you are able to coordinate it, following the process outlined below.
Shaykh Suhaib Webb on Salat al-Kusf according to the Sunni Tradition
According to credible sources, there will be a solar eclipse this Monday in New York City on April 8th from just after 2PMpm till 4:36pm, reaching its peak window between 2:45pm and 3:30PM. Salat al-Kusf, the eclipse prayer, is something we should try to do if possible during this window.
The eclipse prayer is an encouraged sunna according to most jurists, and considered to be wjib by some. It is commendable to observe it in congregation, though a person can do it alone. Additionally, the Imm should pray it aloud or silently since both have supporting evidence. The bowing and prostrating should be long. But, if a person is not able to make it long, there is no harm in shortening it.
How to Do It
The First Rakat - Begin as a nafal prayer: read Fatiha loudly, followed by a long chapter of the Qur'an if possible. Say takbr and bow to ruk'. Extend the ruk' if possible. After that, rise from ruk' as you normally would. Here is where things get different:
Instead of saying takbr and going to sujud as usually, recite Fatiha again, followed by a long chapter. Once you're done, say takbr and bow to ruk' again. Make the ruk' long just like you did the first time and then rise. After rising, this time say takbr and prostrate to sujd, making it long, if possible. Then, sit a little after the first sujd and return to the second sujd, making it long, also. After the second sujd rise for the second rakat and do like you did in the first rakat:
1. Fatiha + surah
2. Ruk'
3. Rising from Ruk'
4. Fatiha + Sura
5. Ruk'
6. Rising from ruk'
7. sujd
8. Sitting
9. sujd
But this time instead of rising again, complete your prayer as you normally would with salams. If possible, there should be a short reminder after the prayer is over as that was done by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
Shaykh Faiyaz Jaffer on Salat al-Ayaat according to the Shia Tradition
This upcoming Monday, 4/08, there will be a solar eclipse in New York State, there will be a solar eclipse. from just after 2PMpm till 4:36pm, reaching its peak window between 2:45pm and 3:30PM.
Due to this unique occurrence, the Islamic tradition obligates a specific prayer known as Salaat al-Ayaat (the prayer of signs), in order to submit ourselves to the power of God. We recommend that you pray it individually wherever you might be or in congregation if you are able to coordinate it with others.
How to Do It
Salaat al-Ayaat consists of two Rak'ats, and there are five Ruku in each.
Its method is as follows: After making niyyat of offering the prayers, one should say takbir (Allahu Akbar) and recite Surah al-Hamd and the other Surah, and then perform the Ruku. Thereafter, he should stand and recite Surah al-Hamd and a Surah and then perform another Ruku. He should repeat this action five times, and, when he stands after the fifth Ruku, he should perform two Sajdah, and then stand up to perform the second Rak'at in the same manner as he has done in the first. Then he should recite tashahhud and Salam.
The prayer can be performed individually but is recommended to be performed in congregation. It is Mustahab that qunut be recited before the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth Ruku, but it will be sufficient if qunut is recited only before the tenth Ruku.