Do We Pray Salat Al-Kusuf Even During a Partial Solar Eclipse?

Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question

Do we pray Salat al-Kusuf during a partial solar eclipse, or is it something that has been ordained for a complete solar eclipse?

Answer

The apparent wording of the prophetic hadith indicates that the prayer is to be performed for both a partial and complete eclipse.

As Abu Bakra narrates from the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), “Whenever you see these eclipses pray and invoke God till the eclipse is over.” [Bukhari]

Thus, the prayer is legislated at the first instance when an eclipse is witnessed, regardless of whether it ultimately concludes as a partial eclipse or a full one.

[Ustadh] Salman Younas
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani 

Ustadh Salman Younas graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies. After studying the Islamic sciences online and with local scholars in New York, Ustadh Salman moved to Amman where he spent five years studying Islamic law, legal methodology, belief, hadith methodology, logic, Arabic, and tafsir. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Oxford and continues his traditional studies with scholars in the United Kingdom.