Muslims are forbidden to eat or drink when they are fasting, especially in the month of Ramadan. However, there is a myth surrounding the natural phenomenon that Muslims are not allowed to eat during an eclipse.
We will discuss everything the Quran and Hadith say regarding this process and will try to educate you with real and true knowledge.
Can a Muslim eat during an eclipse?
Muslims can eat or drink before, during, or after a solar or lunar eclipse. The Holy Quran or Sunnah does not restrict eating during an eclipse. However, if we want to find out what the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did during an eclipse, we have to look at the book of Hadiths.
The Holy Prophet asked his followers to pray salat when the sun eclipses, asking Allah for forgiveness of their sins.
Here is a Hadith on the eclipse and what we should do during it.
Narrated Mughirah bin Shu’bah (RA): There was a solar eclipse in the time of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) on the day his son Ibrahim died. The people said, “The eclipse of the sun has happened due to the death of Ibrahim.” Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “The sun and the moon are two of Allah’s signs; they are not eclipsed due to the death or the life of anyone. So when you see them (the eclipse of the moon or sun), supplicate to Allah and offer prayers until the eclipse is over.” — Bulugh al-Maram
In the above-mentioned Hadith, we can see people blaming the death of the son of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as the reason for the eclipse. However, the Prophet (PBUH) has clearly mentioned that the sun and the moon belong to Allah, and they don’t eclipse because of the death of any human being.
What should we do during an eclipse?
Now that it’s clear that a Muslim can eat during an eclipse. However, eating is not a preferred thing in the Muslim community during this phenomenon.
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) put his cloak on his head and went to a mosque. Upon arriving, he offered two rakyat salats, which he ended after the eclipse was finished.
The event can be found in Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 18, Hadith 150. Narrated by Abu Bakkar, We were with Allah’s Apostle when the sun eclipsed. Allah’s Apostle stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque. He led us in a two-Rakat prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared. Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone’s death. So whenever you see these eclipses, pray and invoke (Allah) till the eclipse is over.”
The Prophet (PBUH) has advised us to pray to Allah and ask for forgiveness during these events.
How to pray during an eclipse?
You can pray two rakat salats during an eclipse and ask Allah for forgiveness. However, the salat should be as long as possible. Aisha (RA) narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) prayed during an eclipse, but his salat was longer than usual.
Here is the complete Hadith, narrated by Aisha (RA) In the life-time of Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second Raka as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, “The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa.” The Prophet then said, “O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (self-respect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much. — Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 18, Hadith 154
Is praying during an eclipse mentioned in the Quran?
No, praying during an eclipse is not mentioned anywhere in the Holy Quran. But several Hadiths describe the actions of our Holy Prophet (PBUH) during an eclipse. Here is a Hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Amr: “When the sun eclipsed in the life-time of Allah’s Apostle, an announcement was made that a prayer was to be offered in congregation.”
Can Muslims during the eclipse when they are fasting?
The basic fasting rule is to avoid eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. Therefore, you can not eat or drink during an eclipse because the sun has vanished.
The myth of not eating during an eclipse is associated with fasting Muslims; they avoid during an eclipse and break their fast at dusk.
Wrap Up
So far, we have debunked the myth that Muslims eat food during the eclipse. We have provided relevant Hadiths to back our arguments and added information on what to do in a solar eclipse.
We will update this blog with new information backed by reasoning if there is any.
FAQs
Can Muslims eat during solar eclipse during Ramadan?
No, Muslims who fast during Ramadan can only eat after Magrib Salat. Eating during or after the solar eclipse will break their fast.
In short, the eclipse does not affect Ramadan or Muslims who are fasting.
What should a Muslim do during an eclipse?
During an eclipse, Muslims should offer two rakat Salat, which should be stretched. Stretched means he or she should spend more time in the Salat than usual.
Another proof from Hadith is the freedom of slaves. Since slaves are rare in the modern world, we can give charity to poor people during an eclipse.
Can we go out during the solar eclipse?
Yes, you can go out during a solar eclipse. However, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) avoided going out and instead went to a mosque to pray the Salat of the eclipse.
Looking at the eclipsing sun with the naked eye can cause eclipse blindness or retinal burns, also known as solar retinopathy.
What should not be done during a solar eclipse in Islam?
The Quran and Hadith do not mention anything that shouldn’t be done during an eclipse. However, here are a few things that Muslim scholars advise to avoid.
- Having sex during an eclipse
- Entertainment of any type
- Talking or laughing loudly
- Playing games
The points mentioned above are not derived from Hadiths or Quran.
Myths associated with solar eclipse
There are thousands of Myths associated with solar eclipses. Here are a few of them.
- Pregnant women should not go out during an eclipse
- The firstborn son should avoid it
- You should not wear black clothes
- Dont eat watermelon during an eclipse
- Others
