The Eclipse Prayer the Rain Prayer and the Funeral Prayer by Alhuda Bolton

Saturday 9 Sept 2017

Chapter of Prayer: The Eclipse Prayer

• Brief recap of previous Lesson
• The Eclipse prayer: why is it prayed?
o The occurrence of an eclipse is a great sign from Allah
o Verse regarding the sun and the moon [Chapter Yunus: 5]
o Verse about how day and night as well as the sun and moon are all signs from Allah, and that we should worship him as he is the sole creator. “” [Chapter Fussilat: 37]
• The eclipse prayer is highly recommended (Sunnah Mu’akkadah)
• The eclipse occurred during the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), narration
• Prior to Islam, it was believed the eclipses occur when someone important is born or dies, however the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) clarified to the people that this isn’t the case, but that the purpose instead is for it to be among the great signs of Allah
o Hadith of the solar eclipse that occurred when the prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) son Ibrahim died (note: all the prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) children died before him except Fatima), and the people began to say the above and he instead told them that eclipses don’t occur for these reasons, and that they (eclipses) should be recognised as a great sign of Allah
o An eclipse is a magnificent sign
o Hadith of Abu Musaa (in Bukhari) that the sign of the eclipse should bring someone to remember Allah, invoking him and seek his forgiveness
• Timing:
o When do you start praying? [=when the eclipse starts]
o When do you stop? []
o Can you still pray after the eclipse has gone? [=no]
o Is there sin upon someone for missing it? [no]
• How is it prayed?
o Two rak’ah (units)
o To read out loud
o In the first rak’ah, begin with the Fatiha, then to recite a long chapter of the Quran
o Then the rukuu’ (bowing) which should be made long
o Then to raise one’s head and stand up straight (saying tasmii and tahmid) as usual
o Then to recite the Fatiha and another chapter of the Quran again
o The to bow (rukuu’) for a prolonged time
o Then to raise one’s head and stand up straight (saying tasmii and tahmid) as usual
o The to do sujuud (prostration), making it long. Then sit as usual (not making it long), and prostrate again for a prolonged time.
o Then to stand up for second rak’ah and pray it as you prayed the first.
o Then to end the prayer with tashahud and taslim, as usual
• Should it be prayed together in congregation? [=better to do it in congregation but it is possible to pray by oneself]
• After the prayer has finished and the eclipse has ended, the Imam should give a reminder to the people, for example about the significance of this sign, and not to be negligent or waste one’s life and instead to use it to worship our creator and make supplication to him [relevant hadith of Aisha radhiallaahu anhaa)

For More, including Written Summary of Rain prayer, and Funeral Prayer which were part of this recording, go to AlhudaBolton.com