There are several explanation for the effects of lunar eclipse in Islam. In Al-Qur’an and Hadith it also mentioned how muslims should reacted when solar or lunar eclipse occured. It is not only a natural event but there is some deeper meaning of what lunar eclipse be in the view of Islam.
What is Lunar Eclipse?
It as a phenomenon when the moon passes directly behind earth and into its shadow. Rather it would be happen if the sun, earth, and moon are in exact or closely aligned when earth located between sun and moon.
Unlike the solar eclipse that may only seen from a certain area, a lunar eclipse is almost seen from anywhere on the night side of the earth.
Indeed lunar eclipse is safe to view but solar eclipse may cause harm if we view it directly without protection. Read also : effects of solar eclipse
How Islam View the Lunar Eclipse?
Islam explained by mentioned it in Al-Qur’an that muslims are encouraged to observe any event around them and reflect through it beauties, glory, and wonder if every event appear in front of us is a signs of Allah SWT.
“By the star when it descends, your companion (Muhammad) has not strayed, nor has erred, nor does he speak from (his own) inclination. It is not bu a revelation revealed, taught to him by one intense in strengh.” (QS. An-Najm : 1-5)
The signs for the believers that Allah do exist and He is the Mighty among any substance in the world,
“Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne.
He covers the night with the day, (another night) chasing it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command, blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (QS. Al-A’raf : 54)
Therefore muslims must be more sensitive about the event appeared since it may be sign of Allah either to warn or guide us.
The Effects of Lunar Eclipse in Islam
From the explanation before we knew that among the rare event occured in the world lunar eclipse and solar eclipse is the tremendeous one. Therefore, a lunar eclipse may take effects in islamic view as the explanation below :
1. It shows mankind the true power of Allah
In Islam we view a lunar eclipse as the self reminder of Allah’s power, He is the command and who create the universe and its contain. Allah create it into the specific detail and amusement.
“And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon, all (heavenly bodies) in an orbit are swimming.” (QS. Al-Anbya : 33)
Indeed, Allah made an event such as lunar eclipse and explained it long before mankind knew about the knowledge of astronomy. Read also : virtues of telling truth in Islam
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2. Remind muslim to contemplate their past action
The effects of an event like lunar eclipse in Islam is to remind muslims of what they did in their past action. The lunar eclipse make them realize that there is something above mankind which rule of the world and give command to its contain including mankind.
Thus, we should remember of doing good and remember our past to move forward in to a better person.
3. In ancient time it is believed to be related to live and death
A long before Islam relegated to the world, when the day of ignorance appeared people belived that lunar eclipse is related to the live or death of certain people.
From Ibn Mas’ood Al-Ansaari said,
“The sun eclipsed the day of Ibrahim the son of the Messenger of Allah died, and the people said, ‘the sun is eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim.”
Rasulullah SAW said,
“The sun and the moon are two signs from Allah, and they do not become eclipsed for the death or the birth of anyone. If you see that, hasten to remember Allah and to pray.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
Therefore Islam tough mankind that lunar eclipse had nothing to do with that. As a good muslims we should remember this and never repeat on that belief. Read also : importance of study in Islam
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4. Muslim will be frightened
“And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs, except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning.” (QS. Al-Isra : 59)
The lunar eclipse is a warning and Allah made this event to make people fear or frightened of performing bad deed or commit a vile act since Allah always knew what they did and the punishment of Allah is severe.
5. It shows that both lunar or solar is nothing but the creation of Allah SWT
The lunar and solar eclipses is a creation from Allah SWT, which show us how easy He made the moon and sun to be eclipsed and cyrcle arround its orbit. Hopefully muslims will hasten to perform prayer and dua to seek Allah’s protection.
Abu Moosa said,
“These signs that Allah sends are not for the death or life of anyone but Allah makes his slaves afraid through them, so if you see anyhing of that (eclipses), then hasten to remember Allah and call on Him and seek His forgiveness.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
Read also : how to repent in Islam for major sins
6. For muslims to increase worshiping Allah SWT
Any event that appeared surround us including lunar eclips, we as muslims must see it as a warning and guidance to remember of worshiping Allah, as mentioned in the following verse,
“And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostate to Allah, who created them, if it should be Him that you worship.” (QS. Fusillat : 37)
It is evident that we can feel the sign of Allah every day, about how Allah create day for us to perform acitivies and night for us to get rest nor the sun and moon that make the beauty of day and night.
7. Muslims recommended to perform eclipses prayer (al-kusoof)
From A’ishah narrated that,
“There was a solar eclipse during the life-time of Rasulullah. Rasulullah led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a lengthy recital during prayer.
The bowed for a long while (made a long ruku). He stood up again and performed another long recital of the Qur’an, but this time the period of standing (Qiyam) was shorter than the firs one.
He bowed again for a long time but shorter that he first one (ruku), the he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second rak’ah as he did in the firs and then finished the prayer. By the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutbah (sermon).” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
When the lunar and solar eclipse occured muslims is recommended to perfor eclipse prayer which consist of two raka’ah as mentioned in the above hadith. This prayer will remind of the existence of Allah and to encourage us for always remember Him and perform good deeds. Read also : 6 pillars of Islam
Others
Another effects of lunar eclipse in Islam is as the following :
- It encourage muslims and people to studying about this event and other science
- Mankind is a part of this enormous universe, thus we should stay humble instead of being arrogant and commit violation
- Muslim recommend to perform sadaqah or give a charity when the lunar eclipse appear
- Lunar eclipse is a cosmic phenomena that rarely appear, we should enjoy it as the true beauty of natural event
- Lunar eclipse and solar eclipse also a message for muslims that each day we are close to the Judgement Day
- Lunar eclipse has nothing to do with superstition and it just the prove that Allah alone has power of all things in the heavens and on earth.