The Eclipse Salah: Solar and Lunar Eclipses

This article explains the procedure for the eclipse salah for both solar eclipse (kusuf) and lunar eclipse (khusuf) which is performed in congregation with more bowing and prostration than ordinary salah.

The eclipse salah is performed in congregation with two rak'ahs but with four bowings and four prostrations, initiated with the call 'Asalatu Jami'ah' as a substitute for the adhan.
In each rak'ah, after takbir al-ihram and reciting al-Fatihah and a long surah, a long bowing is performed, then standing again to recite al-Fatihah and a surah before the second bowing, only then two prostrations are performed.
After the salah is finished, the imam delivers a reminder about the signs of Allah's greatness and urges the congregation to increase supplications, seeking forgiveness, and giving charity.
According to hadith, an eclipse is not caused by the death or birth of someone, so the people are urged to quickly perform the salah when witnessing it.

The eclipse salah is a salah performed when there is a solar eclipse (kusuf) and/or a lunar eclipse (khusuf).

The procedure is as follows:

The eclipse salah is performed in congregation with 2 rak'ahs with four bowings and four prostrations.

The niyyah for the solar eclipse salah is as follows (recited in the heart)

اُصَلِّيْ سُنَّةً لِكُسُوْفِ الشَّمْسِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مَأْمُوْمًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى

Ushollii sunnatal likusuufisy syamsi rok'ataini ma`muuman lillaahi ta'aalaa

I intend to perform the solar eclipse salah with two rak'ahs as a follower for Allah, the Most High

The niyyah above is for us when we are followers. But if you are an imam, the word MA'MUUMAN is replaced with IMAAMAN. The complete form is as follows:

اُصَلِّيْ سُنَّةً لِكُسُوْفِ الشَّمْسِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ اِمَامًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى

USHOLLII SUNNATAl LIKUSUUFISY SYAMSI ROK'ATAINI IMAAMAN LILLAAHI TA'AALA

I intend to perform the solar eclipse salah with two rak'ahs as an imam for Allah, the Most High

When the salah is about to begin, it is recommended to announce 'Asalatu Jami'ah'

Based on a hadith from 'Aishah:

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), there was a solar eclipse, so he ordered someone to announce 'Asalat al-Jami'ah', then he came forward and performed the salah with four bowings in two rak'ahs and four prostrations. Reported by al-Bukhari (al-Jumu'ah: 1004) and Muslim (al-Kusuf: 1501) and al-Nasa'i (al-Kusuf: 1448)

In the first rak'ah, begin with takbir al-ihram, recite al-Fatihah, and recite a long surah or verses of the Qur'an with a loud voice. Then a long bowing, then rise from bowing saying sami'allahu liman hamidah rabbana laka al-hamd, stand again, then recite al-Fatihah and a surah or verses of the Qur'an. After that, bow again, then rise from bowing saying sami'allahu liman hamidah rabbana laka al-hamd, then two prostrations.
The second rak'ah is performed the same as the first rak'ah. After the second prostration, recite the testimony and the salutation.
After the salah, the imam stands up to deliver a reminder and remind the people of the signs of Allah's greatness, and urge them to increase supplications, seeking forgiveness, charity, and all other good deeds.

Based on a hadith from 'Aishah:

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), there was a solar eclipse. Then he went out to the mosque and recited the takbir. The people then lined up behind him. He recited a long surah. Then he recited the takbir and bowed for a long time, then raised his head and said: 'Sami'allahu liman hamidah,' then stood again without prostrating immediately, and recited a long surah but shorter than the first recitation, then recited the takbir and a long bowing but shorter than the previous one, then said 'sami'allahu liman hamidah rabbana wa lakal-hamd' (and raised his head to stand) then he prostrated. In the second rak'ah, he did the same, so in total there were four bowings and four prostrations. The sun became bright before the salah was finished. Then he stood up and delivered a sermon praising Allah as befits, then he said: 'The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah the Mighty, the eclipse of either is not caused by the death or birth of anyone. When you see it, hasten to pray.' Reported by al-Bukhari (al-Jumu'ah: 988), and Muslim (al-Kusuf: 1500, 1499) and Ahmad (Remaining Musnad al-Ansar: 23432)

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