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It is stated in our Holy Quoran:
"If indeed thou ask them who has created the heavens and the
earth and subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law); they will
certainly reply Allah."
(29:61)
The aim of
this article is to provide readers with a greater understanding
of varying types of Eclipses, the significance of an Eclipse in
Islam and what is required of us as
Muslims.
Firstly,
an Eclipse is a celestial alignment in which two celestial bodies lie on a line passing
through the position of the observer. Eclipses may also occur when the shadow of the closer body occults the farther
body.
There are several types of Eclipses.
They are detailed below: Solar Eclipse
Lunar Eclipse
Total Eclipse
Partial Eclipse
Annular Eclipse
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Umbral Eclipse
"And the suns runs towards its destination (resting place)
...." (36:38) A solar eclipse is an occultation of the Sun
by the Moon, whereby the Moon passes between the Sun and
Earth, which can only take place
during daylight hours and can occur only at a new
moon (new moons occur on Julian days).
"And the moon when becomes full." (84:18)
The Moon's shadow sweeps across a
portion of Earth's surface and an eclipse of the Sun is seen from
that region.
Solar eclipses may be total
or annular whereby total solar eclipses can last up to 7.6 minutes, while annular
solar eclipses can last up to 12.5 minutes.
Records show that 240 solar eclipses occur every century.
The cycle of eclipses repeats itself within a period of 223 synodic
months, known as the Saros
cycle. This period spans 18 years,11 days, and 8 hours if the 18
years include four leap
years. If it contains five leap years, the period spans 18 years,10 days,
and 8 hours.
"Allah is He who raised heavens without pillars that you can
see; Then He established Himself on the throne; And He subjected
the sun and the moon (to his law); each one runs its course for a
term appointed." (13:2)
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A lunar eclipse
is an occultation of the Moon
by the Earth's shadow, whereby the earth passes between the Sun and
the Moon, and can occur only at a full
moon ( a full moon occurs on Julian
days).
"And the moon when becomes full." (84:18) The Earth's shadow sweeps across a portion of Moon's
surface and an eclipse of the Moon is seen.
Lunar eclipses can be either total or partial whereby total lunar eclipses
can last up to 2 hours, while partial lunar eclipses can last up
to 4 hours.
Records show that 150 lunar eclipses occur per century.
The cycle of eclipses repeats itself within a period of 223 synodic
months, known as the Saros
cycle. This period spans18 years,11 days, and 8 hours if the18
years include four leap
years. If it contains five leap years, the period spans 18 years, 10 days, and 8 hours.
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The
closest time between solar and lunar eclipses is 2 weeks as a
solar eclipse is related with the beginning of the Islamic month, but
occurs at the end of previous month and a lunar eclipse occurs
only in the middle of Islamic month.
"And He who made the night for rest and sun and moon for
reckoning of time. This is the decree of the Exalted, the
All-knowing." (6:96)
"We made night and day two signs. The sign of night we made
dark and sign of day we made bright. That ye may seek bounty from
your lord and ye may know number of years and count (of
time)." (17:12)
"It is He who made sun a lamp, and moon a light and measured
stages so you know number of years and count (of time)."
(10:5)
A total eclipse is either a lunar
or solar
eclipse in which the Moon
or the Sun
is completely eclipsed.
A partial eclipse is either a lunar
or solar
eclipse in which the Moon
or the Sun are not completely eclipsed.
An annular eclipse is a partial solar
eclipse in which the Sun, Earth,
and Moon lie on a straight line, but the Moon is farther away from the
Earth than usual. This results in an incomplete covering of the
Sun with a bright ring left around the edges of the Moon.
A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
occurs when the moon passes through the
penumbra but does
not enter the umbra.
An umbral eclipse happens when
the moon passes through the umbral portion of the earth's shadow.
During an umbral eclipse, a dark shadow is cast on the surface of
the moon.
In order to enter the umbra, the moon must first pass
through the penumbra, consequently every umbral eclipse has a
penumbral phase, when the moon first enters the penumbra.
This is followed
by an umbral phase, during which the moon is in the shade of the
umbra, followed by another penumbral phase, when the moon leaves
the umbra. [Wolfram
Research]
An umbral eclipse is total if the
moon moves entirely inside the umbra. During a partial lunar
eclipse part of the moon's disk does not enter the umbra and will
be visible during the entire eclipse.
Unlike the total phase of a solar
eclipse which is only visible to observers located inside a small
eclipse track, the total phase of a lunar eclipse can be viewed by
anyone who can see the moon at the moment it becomes full.
Two issues are
important in relation to astronomy, eclipses and signs in Islam. Firstly,
in regards to the solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurred at the
time when baby Ibrahim, the son of the Holy Prophet of Islam ('s)
died. This occurred on 29th Shawwal, 10 AH, being January 27th,
632 AD. It was
significant at the time as the Holy Prophet ('s)
did not want the people to associate the eclipse with the death of
his son and then be superstitious in relation to eclipses. He ('s)
went directly to the mosque and performed salat.
[Ref: http://www.moonsighting.com/images/eclipse1-27-632.gif]
Secondly, astronomy and
signs in Al-Quoran indicate occurrences as Signs of Qiyamah or the
Day of Judgment.
Some quotes are as
follows:
"And the moon is buried in darkness. And the sun and moon are
joined together." (75:8-9)
"When the stars are put out and when the sky is cleft
asunder." (77:8-9)
"When the sun is folded up and when the stars loose their
lustre." (81:1-2)
"When the sky is cleft asunder and the planets are scattered
and the oceans are forced to join." (82:1-3)
"When the sky is split asunder and attentive to her lord, and
it must do so."
(84:1-2)
" One day the Earth will be changed to a different Earth and
so will be the Heavens and (men) will be marshalled forth before
Allah the One the Irresistible."
(14:48)
At the
time of a solar eclipse, 2 Rak'aats in congregational prayer, should be performed as
performed by the Prophet Muhammad ('s).
Independent
prayers are encouraged when lunar eclipses
occur.
Rules in accordance with Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani are as follows:
Source: http://www.coej.org.uk/islamic_resources/wfayaat.htm
1500. * Namaz-e-Ayaat whose methods will be explained later,
becomes obligatory due the following four things:
(The prayer becomes Wajib even if the moon or the sun are
partially eclipsed, and even if they do not engender any fear. )
Namaz-e-Ayaat during an earthquake, as an obligatory precaution, even if no one is
frightened as well as thunder and lightning, red and black cyclones and other similar celestial phenomena, which frightens most of the
people. Similarly for the terrestrial events like receding sea water, or falling
mountains which engender fear in these circumstances, as per recommended precaution, Namaz-e-Ayaat be offered.
1501. If several events which make Namaz-e-Ayaat obligatory occur together, one should offer
Namaz-e-Ayaat for each of them. For example, if a solar eclipse as well as an earthquake takes
place, one should offer separate Namaz-e-Ayaat for each of these two
occurrences.
1502. If a number of qadha Namaz-e-Ayaat is obligatory on a
person, irrespective of whether they have become obligatory due to one and
the same thing, like, solar eclipse occurring three times, or due
to different events like solar eclipse, lunar eclipse and earthquake,
it is not necessary for him while offering the qadha prayers to
specify the event for which he is offering the prayer.
1503. Offering of Namaz-e-Ayaat is obligatory for the residents of
only that town in which the event takes place. It is not
obligatory for the people of other towns.
1504. * The time of Namaz-e-Ayaat sets in as the eclipse starts,
and remains till the eclipse is over. It is better, however, not to
delay till the reversal of eclipse commences, though completion of Namaz-e-Ayaat may coincide with the time of reversal.
1505. If a person delays offering of Namaz-e-Ayaat till the sun or
the moon starts coming out of eclipse, the niyyat of Ada (i.e.
praying within time) will be in order, but if he offers the
prayers after the eclipse is over, he should make a niyyat of qadha.
1506.* If the duration of solar or lunar eclipse allows time for
one or less Rak'at, Namaz-e-Ayaat can be offered with the niyyat of
Ada. Similarly, if a person has enough duration of eclipse at his disposal, but if he delays till the time to offer one Rak'at remains before the eclipse is over, he will pray with the niyyat of Ada
(i.e. within time).
1507. * When earthquakes, thunder or lightning and other similar
events take place, a person should offer Namaz-e-Ayaat immediately, not
allowing undue delay. But if these occurrences continue for a protracted time, praying immediately is not obligatory. If one
delays when one should not, then, as per recommended precaution, Namaz-e-
Ayaat should be offered without the niyyat of ada or qadha.
1508. If a person did not know about the sun or the moon eclipse,
and came to know after the eclipse was over, he should give its qadha
if it was a total eclipse. And if he comes to know that the eclipse
was partial, qadha will not be obligatory.
1509. * If certain people say that the sun or the moon has been eclipsed, but a person hearing that is not satisfied with what
they say, and consequently does not offer Namaz-e-Ayaat, if it
transpires later that what they said was true, the person should offer Namaz-e-
Ayaat if it was a total eclipse. And if it was a partial eclipse,
it is not obligatory upon him to offer Namaz-e-Ayaat. The same rule
applies if two persons who he does not consider Adil, say that the
sun or the moon has been eclipsed and it transpires later that
they are Adil''.
1510. * If a person is satisfied with the statement of persons who
know the time of solar or lunar eclipse according to scientific calculation, he should pray Namaz-e-Ayaat. Also, if they inform
him that the sun or moon will be eclipsed at a particular time, and
give him the duration of the eclipse, he should accept their words and
act
accordingly, provided he is fully satisfied with them.
1511. If a person realises that Namaz-e-Ayaat offered by him was void, he should offer it again. And if the time has passed, he
should offer its qadha.
1512. If Namaz-e-Ayaat becomes obligatory on a person at the time
of daily prayers, and if he has enough time at his disposal for both,
he can offer any of them first. If the time for one of them is short,
he should offer that prayers first, and if the time for both of them
is short, he should offer the daily prayers first.
1513. If a person realises during the daily prayers that the time
for Namaz-e-Ayaat is short, and if the time for daily prayers is also
short, he should complete the daily prayers and then offer Namaz-e-
Ayaat. But if the time for daily prayers is not short, he should break that prayers and first offer Namaz-e-Ayaat and then offer
the daily prayers.
1514. If a person realises while offering Namaz-e-Ayaat, that the time for daily prayers is short, he should leave Namaz-e-Ayaat and
start offering the daily prayers. After completing the daily
prayers, and before performing any act which invalidates the prayers, he
should start Namaz-e-Ayaat from where he left.
1515. * If solar or lunar eclipses, thunder, lightning or any other
similar events take place when a woman is in her menses or nifas,
it will not be obligatory for her to offer Namaz-e-Ayaat, nor is
there any qadha upon her.
1516. Namaz-e-Ayaat consists of two Rak'ats, and there are five
Ruku in each. Its method is as follows: After making niyyat of
offering the prayers, one should say takbir (Allahu Akbar) and recite Surah
al-Hamd and the other Surah, and then perform the Ruku. Thereafter,
he should stand and recite Surah al-Hamd and a Surah and then perform
another Ruku. He should repeat this action five times, and, when
he stands after the fifth Ruku, he should perform two Sajdah, and
then stand up to perform the second Rak'at in the same manner as he has
done in the first. Then he should recite tashahhud and Salam.
1517. * Namaz-e-Ayaat can also be offered in the following manner:
After making niyyat to offer Namaz-e-Ayaat, 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,
and thereafter perform the Ruku.
He should then stand up and
recite another part of the Surah (without reciting Surah al-Hamd) and
then perform another Ruku.
He should repeat this action, and finish
that Surah before performing the fifth Ruku. For example, he may say:
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim with the niyyat of reciting Surah al-
Ikhlas, and perform the Ruku.
He should then stand up and say, Qul huwallahu Ahad, and perform another Ruku.
He should then stand up
and say, Allahus Samad, and perform the third Ruku.
Thereafter he
should stand up again and say, Lam yalid walam yulad, and perform the
fourth Ruku.
Then he should stand up again and say, Walam yakullahu
Kufuwan ahad, and then perform two Sajdah and then rise for the second
Rak'at, the same way as the first Rak'at.
At the end, he should recite tashahhud and Salam after the two Sajdah.
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
over, one should recite Surah al-Hamd before the next Ruku.
1518. There is no harm if in one Rak'at of Namaz-e-Ayaat, a person
after Surah Al Hamd recites another Surah five times, and in the second Rak'at recites Surah Al Hamd, and divides the other Surah
into five parts.
1519. * The things which are obligatory and Mustahab in daily
prayers are also obligatory and Mustahab in Namaz-e-Ayaat. However, if
Namaz- e-Ayaat is offered in congregation, one may say 'As-salaat' three
times in place of Adhan and Iqamah. If the prayer is not being offered in congregation, it is not necessary to say anything.
1520. It is Mustahab that the person offering Namaz-e-Ayaat should
say takbir before and after Ruku, and after the fifth and tenth
Ruku he should say Sami'allahu liman hamida before takbir.
1521. It is Mustahab that qunut be recited before the second,
fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth Ruku, but it will be sufficient if qunut
is recited only before the tenth Ruku.
1522. If a person doubts as to how many Rak'ats he has offered in Namaz-e-Ayaat, and is unable to arrive at any decision, his prayer
is void.
1523. * If a person doubts whether he is in the last Ruku of the first Rak'at, or in the first Ruku of the second Rak'at, and he
cannot arrive at any decision, his Namaz-e-Ayaat is void. But if
he doubts whether he has performed four Ruku or five, and if the
doubt takes place before he goes into Sajdah, he should perform the Ruku
about which he is doubtful. But if he has reached the stage of Sajdah, he should ignore his doubt.
1524. * Every Ruku of Namaz-e-Ayaat is a Ruku, and if any addition
or deduction takes place in them, the prayer is void. Similarly, if
an omission takes place inadvertently, or, as a precaution, an
addition is made to it unintentionally, the prayers will be void.
The Big Bang Theory - Creation of the heavens and earth
.
"To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the
earth; when He decrees a matter He said to it: "Be"; and
it is." (2:117)
"Don't the Unbelievers see that the universe was once joined
together, then We burst it apart. We made from water every living
thing. Will they not then believe." (21:30)
Creation of the Heavens and Earth
"In the creation of the heavens and earth, and the
alternation of the night and day, and the ships which sail the
seas to people's benefit, and the water which Allah sends down
from the sky -- by which He brings the earth to life when it was
dead and scatters about in it creatures of every kind -- and the
varying direction of the winds, and the clouds subservient between
heaven and earth, there are signs for people who use their
intellect." (2:164)
Stars as Guides for Travellers In the Land and the Sea
"And it is He who ordained the stars for you that you may be
guided thereby in the darkness of the land and the sea."
(6:97)
"And marks and sign-posts and by the stars, (men) guide
themselves." (16:16)
Constellations of the Stars
"And verily in the skies We have set constellations and
beautified it for beholders." (15:16)
Creation of Mankind and Heavens By Allah
"See they not that Allah Who created the heavens and the
earth has power to create the like of them (anew)?...."
(17:99)
Gaseous state of universe
"Then He turned to the sky when it had been gas and said to
it and the earth, condense willingly or unwillingly. And they
said, "We condensed willingly." (41:11)
Expansion of the universe
"And the universe, we constructed with power and skill and
verily we are expanding it." (51:47)
Other galaxies
"God is the One Who created seven heavens and of the earth a
similar number. The command descends upon them so that you know
that God has power over all things and comprehends all things in
His knowledge." (65:12) Seven Heavens, Stars, and the
skies
"He Who created the seven heavens, one above another: No want
of proportion will you see in the creation of Most Gracious, so
turn your face again; Do you see any flaw ....... And We have
adorned the lowest heaven with lamps ...." (67:3-5)
"See ye not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above
another." (71:15)
Crescent moon as the standard to be used for reckoning of
time
"They ask you about new crescent moons, say they are to mark
fixed times for mankind and Hajj." (2:189) Sun and Moon to be used for reckoning of
time
"And He who made the night for rest and sun and moon for
reckoning of time. This is the decree of the Exalted, the
All-knowing." (6:96)
Sun, moon, and the stars governed by laws
"Allah is He, who created the sun, the moon, and the stars
(all) governed by laws under His commandment." (7:54)
Allah created Sun and moon, and He made them subject to
you
"It is Allah Who hath created the heavens and the earth and
sendeth down rain from the skies......... He has made subject to
you, the night and the day; the sun and the moon; and the stars in
subjection by His command." (14:32-33) Day and night, sun and moon, and stars made for
you
"He has made subject to you, the night and the day; the sun
and the moon; and the stars in subjection by His command."
(16:12)
Orbits of celestial bodies
"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." (21:33)
All things bow down to Allah
"See you not that to Allah bow down in worship all things in
the heavens and on earth, the sun, the moon, the stars."
(22:18)
Celestial bodies tied to orbits
"The sun and the moon follow courses exactly computed."
(55:05) Moon follows the sun
"By the sun and its radiant brightness; By the moon as she
follows him." (91:1-2)
The Council of
European Jamaats
The
Eclipse Zone
Wolfram
Research
Moonsighting.com
Astronomy |
