Why do we get eclipses?

The creator of the heavens and the earth is Almighty Allah.  Sun, moon and all other heavenly bodies and systems depend on the immeasurable power of Allah Most High and His unending dominion.  Let alone colliding with each other, each heavenly body moves in its own orbit and does not enter any other orbit.

 

Almighty Allah says:

 

And the Sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing. (38) And the Moon― We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old (and withered) lower part of date-stalk. (39) It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law). Surah Yaseen (36:40)

 

The lunar eclipse is a manifest sign of the power of Allah Most High.  As the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) says: The moon and the sun are 2 signs among the signs of Almighty Allah.  We find many Hadith in this regard.  It is given in Sahih Bukhari:

 

Translation:  It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Moosa ‘Ash’ari (May Allah be well pleased with him), he said:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: These eclipses of sun and the moon are the signs of Almighty Allah.  Allah reveals them.  They do not happen because of the life and death of someone.  Allah Most High invites His people to His fear with them. When you see any of these signs, then turn towards the Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah Most High, remember Him, pray to Him and ask for forgiveness of your sins.

 

The wisdom behind these eclipses is to remind human beings that the Entity who has caused these 2 great heavenly bodies to shadow one another, will one day make them bereft of light, that the Lord Almighty will grind the mountains, which are famous for their firmness, into worthless dust.

 

Another lesson is that through these eclipses, Almighty Allah warns those are heedless.  These are natural warnings for those who are immersed in the love of this temporary world to develop the love and fear of Almighty Allah in their hearts and lead their lives according to the natural, Islamic law and spend their lives in obedience of Almighty Allah and His Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

 

 

Salaat during an eclipse

 

In the days of ignorance i.e. the Pre-Islamic days, people held the view that solar and lunar eclipse happen because of some great person's death.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) refuted this baseless concept.  There is a Hadith: 

 

Translation of Hadith:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Mahmood bin Labid Ansari (May Allah be well pleased with him), he said that the day the son of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Hadhrat Ibrahim (May Allah be well pleased with him) passed away into the presence of Allah Most High, the sun went into eclipse. People said that the sun was in eclipse as the son of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) passed away. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily! The sun and the moon are 2 among the signs of Allah Most High. Listen! The truth is that they do not go into eclipse because of the life or death of somebody. When you see them lightless, turn towards the Masjid. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stood up to offer Salaat. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) recited a portion of Surah Dhariyaat, then performed the Ruku’, then stood up and performed 2 Sajdah and then again stood up and performed the 2nd Raka’at like the first.

 

(Majma Uz Zawaaid, Vol. 2, Kitab Us Salaat, Pg. No: 445; Musnad Imam Ahmed, Musnad Ul Ansaar raziallahuanhum, Hadith No: 22522)

 

Salaat of lunar eclipse (Salaat Ul Khusuf) is Commendable (Mustahab).  There are 2 Raka’at of Salaat Ul Khusuf.  There is no congregation for this.  It is not necessary to come to the Masjid to offer this Salaat.  They are to be offered in those times in which offering Salaat is not undesirable.  Salaat Ul Khusuf is to be offered with inaudible recitation of the Holy Quran (Qiraat Sirri).