The action of Rasulullah’s at the Time of Solar Eclipse
The Sun once was in eclipse in the Rasulullah’s (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) time. The sahabah left their jobs. Even the young boys, practising archery, hastened towards the Masjid to know what the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would do at that time. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) started salah of two rakaat, which were so long that some people fainted and fell down. He wept in his salah and said:
“0, My Lord! Thou has said that Thou wouldst not punish them as long as I am with them and so long as they seek Thy forgiveness.”
This refers to a verse in the Qur’an wherein Allah says:
“But Allah would not punish them while Thou art with them, nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness.” (VIII-33)He then addressed the people saying:
“You should hasten’ for Salaat whenever you happen to find the Sun or the Moon in eclipse. If you happen to know the signs of the Last Day as I do. then surely you would weep more and laugh less. In all such happenings, prepare to Salaat; pray to Allah and distribute alms to the poor.”