An eclipse is predicted for Thursday, September 1, 2016, in sha’Allah.
If it does occur, four acts are required of a believer:
1. Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)
2. Takbir (saying Allahu akbar)
3. Salat
4. Sadaqah (giving charity)
A’ishah (wife of the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi was-salam) narrated: In the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle (salla Allahu ‘alaihi was-salam), the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer and stood up and performed a long qiyam (standing), then bowed (ruku’) for a long while. He stood up again (without making sujud, prostration) and performed a long qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one. Then he prostrated and prolonged the prostrations. He did the same in the second raka’a as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then, the sun (eclipse) had cleared.
He delivered a khutbah (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah, he said, “The sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah (dhikr), and say Takbir, pray (salat) and give Sadaqah”.
The Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alaihi was-salam) then said, “O followers of Muhammad! (salla Allahu ‘alaihi was-salam) By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (self respect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (zina).
O followers of Muhammad! (salla Allahu ‘alaihi was-salam) By Allah! If you know that which I know, you would laugh little and weep much.”
(Bukhari, vol.2 # 154).
From the above hadith, believers are enjoined to do dhikr, say takbir, perform salah and give sadaqah when eclipse occur. So do not forget and do not involve yourself in frivolous speculation as to why the eclipse occurred.
