What is an Eclipse?

Eclipses of the Moon happen when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned to form an almost or exact straight line.

During a Total Lunar Eclipse, the Sun, Earth and Moon form a straight line. The Earth blocks any direct sunlight from reaching the Moon. The Sun is behind the Earth, so the Sun’s light casts the Earth’s shadow on the Moon. This shadow covers the entire Moon and causes a Total Lunar Eclipse.

Salātul Ayāt (Method of Prayer)

It is Wājib to pray Salātul Ayāt when the eclipse occurs. Salātul Ayāt has 2 rak’ats which each rak’at having 5 ruku’ (a total of 10 ruku’)

Niyyah

Two rak‘at wājib Qurbatan Ilal-lāh.

Long Method

After Niyyah and Takbiratul-ihrām, recite Sura al-Hamd, then any other Sura; then go to ruku’. After rising from ruku’, recite again Sura al-Hamd and one Sura and go to ruku’. Do this until the 5th ruku’ after which, go into Sajdah.

Repeat the 2nd Rak’at in the same way and then end with tashah-hud and salām.

Short Method

An alternative short method is also an option for Salātul Ayāt

After Takbiratul-ihrām, recite Sura al-Hamd, and only a part of a Surah; then go to the first ruku’, after rising recite another subsequent part of that Surah and go to the second ruku’, rise again and recite the third subsequent part of that Surah and go to the 3rd ruku’. Likewise do before the 4th and the 5th ruku’, finishing the Surah before 5th ruku’.

For example: Sura al-Ikhlās is 5 verses. You may recite
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, Qul huwal-lahu Ahad + ruku’
Allahus Samad + ruku’
Lam yalid + ruku’
Wa lam yulad + ruku’
Wa lam yakun lahu kufwan ahad + ruku’ then you go to sajdah.

Repeat the second rak’at in the same way.

You can recite the 1st rak‘at in one method and the 2nd rak‘at in the second method.