What is an Eclipse?
Solar eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up, either fully or partially.
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth but the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly lined up. Only a part of the Sun will appear to be covered, giving it a crescent shape.
Salātul Ayāt (Method of Prayer)
It is Wājib to pray Salātul Ayāt when an 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.
