Solar/Lunar Eclipses in Islaam
Muslims offer special prayers during
eclipses
Muslims recognize that everything in
the heavens and on earth is created and
sustained by the Lord of the universe,
Allah Almighty. Throughout the Qur'an,
people are encouraged to look around
them, observe and reflect on the
beauties and wonders of the natural
world - as signs of Allah's majesty.
"Allah is He, who created the sun, the
moon, and the stars -- (all) governed by
laws under His commandment."
[Qur'an 7:54]
"It is He who created the night and the
day and the sun and the moon. All (the
celestial bodies) swim along, each in its
orbit."
[Qur'an 21:33]
"The sun and the moon follow courses
exactly computed."
[Qur'an 55:05]
In remembrance and gratefulness for all
of His favors, Muslims all over the world
bow down in prayer five times each day.
At a time of a solar or lunar eclipse,
there is a recommended prayer (salatul-
kusuf) that is performed by the Muslim
community in congregation.
The Prophet's Tradition (peace be upon
him)
During the lifetime of the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), there
was a solar eclipse on the day that his
son Ibraaheem died. Some superstitious
people said that the sun eclipsed
because of the young child's death and
the Prophet's sadness on that day. The
Prophet corrected their understanding:
Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba: On the
day of Ibraaheem's death, the sun
eclipsed and the people said that the
eclipse was due to the death of Ibrahim
(the son of the Prophet). Allah's Apostle
said,"The sun and the moon are two
signs amongst the signs of Allah. They
do not eclipse because of someone's
death or life. So when you see them,
invoke Allah and pray till the eclipse is
clear."
Reasons that Muslims should be humble
before Allah during an eclipse
*.An eclipse is a sign of the majesty and
power of Allah.
Narrated Abu Mas'ud: The Prophet
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,"The
sun and the moon do not eclipse
because of the death of someone from
the people but they are two signs
amongst the signs of Allah. When you
see them, stand up and pray."
*.An eclipse can cause people to
become frightened. When frightened,
Muslims turn to Allaah for patience and
perseverance.
Narrated Abu Bakr: Allah's Apostle
said:"The sun and the moon are two
signs amongst the signs of Allah and
they do not eclipse because of the
death of someone, but Allah frightens
His devotees with them."
*.An eclipse is a reminder of the Day of
Judgment.
Narrated Abu Musa: The sun eclipsed
and the Prophet got up, being afraid
that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of
Judgment). He went to the Mosque and
offered a prayer with the longest
Qiyaam, bowing and prostration that I
had ever seen him doing. Then he
said,"These signs which Allah sends do
not occur because of the life or death of
somebody, but Allah makes His
worshipers afraid by them. So when you
see anything thereof, proceed to
remember Allah, invoke Him and ask for
His forgiveness."
How the Prayer is Performed
*.The eclipse prayer is offered in
congregation.
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: When the
sun eclipsed in the life-time of Allah's
Apostle an announcement was made
that a prayer was to be offered in
congregation.
*.The eclipse prayer is two rakats (cycles
of prayer).
Narrated Abu Bakr: In the life-time of
the Prophet the sun eclipsed and then
he offered a two Rakat prayer.
*.Each rakat of the eclipse prayer has
two bowings and two prostrations (for a
total of four).
Narrated 'Aaisha(rodiyallaahu 'anhaa):
The Prophet led us and performed four
bowings in two Rakat during the solar
eclipse, and the first Raka was longer.
Narrated 'Aaisha: In the life-time of
Allah's Apostle, the sun eclipsed, so he
led the people in prayer, and stood up
and performed a long Qiyam, then
bowed for a long while. He stood up
again 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 prostration. He did the same in the
second Raka as he did in the first and
then finished the prayer; by then the
sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered
the Khutba (sermon) and after praising
and glorifying Allah he said,"The sun and
the moon are two signs amongst the
signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the
death or life of anyone. So when you
see the eclipse, remember Allah and say
Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa (charity)."
In modern times, superstitions and fear
surrounding solar and lunar eclipses
have diminished. However, Muslims
continue the tradition of praying during
an eclipse, as a reminder that Allah
Alone has power over all things, in the
heavens and on earth.

[size=14pt]Method Of Offering Signs Prayers (i.e. DURING ECLIPSE OF THE SUN)[/size]

1516. Signs Prayers consists of two units and there are five bowings in each unit. The following is the method of offering this prayers: After making an intention of offering the prayers one should say takbir (Allahu Akbar) and recite Surah al-Hamd once and thereafter a complete surah and then perform the bowing. Thereafter he should stand and recite Surah al-Hamd and any other surah and then perform another bowing. He should repeat this action five times and after standing up subsequent to the fifth bowing he should perform two prostrations and then stand up and perform the second unit in the same manner as he has done in the first unit. Then he should recite tashahhud and salaam.

1517. Signs Prayers can also be offered in the following manner: After making an intention to offer Signs Prayers a person is allowed to say takbir and recite Surah al-Hamd and then divide the verses of the other surah into five parts and recite one verse or more or less than that and thereafter perform the bowing. He should then stand up and recite another part of that surah (without reciting Surah al-Hamd) and then perform another bowing. He should continue repeating this action and should finish that surah before performing the fifth bowing. For example, he may say: Bismillahir Rahma nir Rahim with the intention of reciting Surah al-Ikhlas and perform the bowing. He should then stand up and say. Qul huwallahu ahad and perform another bowing. He should then stand up and say, Allahus samad and perform the third bowing. Thereafter he should stand up again and say, Lam yalid walam yulad and perform the fourth bowing. Then he should stand up once again and say, Walam yokullahu kufuwon ahad and then perform the fifth bowing. After this he should stand up and perform two prostrations and then continue the second unit in the same manner in which he has performed the first one and then recite tashahhud and salaam after having performed the second prostration. It is also permissible to divide a surah into less than five parts. In that event, however, it is necessary that when the surah is finished one should recite Surah al-Hamd before the next bowing.

1518. There is no harm if in one unit of the Signs Prayers a person recites Surah al-Hamd and surah five times and in the second unit recites Surah al-Hamd and divides the surah into five parts.

http://www.al-islam.org/islamic-laws-ayatullah-abul-qasim-al-khui/prayer-signs-salat-al-ayat