Kitab Al-Salaah (The book of Prayer)

Eclipse
Prayer (Salatul-Kusoof)

           
The eclipse of the Sun and the Moon are two natural phenomena which,
when they occur, cause dismay and unrest to those who witness them. For
this reason, it is the tradition in Islam to perform a special prayer
when these phenomena occur requesting Allah, the Almighty, to bless the
Muslim Nation (Ummah) by clearing the eclipse. The Prophet (peace be
upon him) says: “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of
Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) and are not eclipsed for the death or
livelihood of any person. Therefore, when you witness the eclipse of
the sun and moon resort to prayer” (Reported by Imam Bukhari).

            This
prayer is composed of two rakaats which are performed in congregation
and for which neither a first call (Adhan) nor a second call (Iqamah)
is required. It is performed in the following manner:

1. After reciting "Al-Fatihah" the Imam would recite a long
   passage from the Holy Qur'an with the congregation listening
   attentively to the recitation.
2. Upon completing the recitation, the Imam comes up with the
   bowing "Rukuu" position and as usual, the congregation would follow him
   accordingly.
3. The Imam thereafter, raises up from the "Rukuu", but instead
   of continuing on to the prostration "Sujuud" position, he once again
   resumes the recitation of some passages from the Holy Qur'an after
   reciting chapter 1 (Al-Fatihah).
4. After the above recitation, the Imam comes up with another
   "Rukuu".
5. The Imam then, raises up from the Rukuu position and proceeds
   to prostration "Sujuud".
6. The Imam has thus, completed the first rakaat, and from
   the'Sujuud" position, he would resume the standing position to begin
   the second rakaat which would be performed exactly as the first rakaat
   in the manner described above.
7. Upon raising the head from the second prostration of the
   second rakaat, the Imam would sit for "At-Tashahud" and would then
   conclude the prayer as usual with "Tasleem".

           
Note: Upon completing the eclipse prayer as discussed, it is
recommended that the Imam delievers a brief sermon in which he speaks
of
the lessons to be learned from the manifestations of the eclipse. He
draws the attention of the unmindful to the greatness of Allah
(subhanahu wa ta'ala) and that He possesses unrestricted power to act
in any way He wishes with His creations.