Hadith of Al Mughirah ibn Sh`ubah who said that the sun eclipsed in the life-time of the Prophet (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) on the day when (his son) Ibrahim died. So the people said that the sun had eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim. The Prophet of Allah (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of some-one. When you see the eclipse, pray and invoke Allah."  (*)

The inferred point of this Hadith was narrated by a number of companions of the Prophet (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) including Al Mughira ibn Sh`uba,`A’ishah, Ibn `Abbas, Abu Mas`ud Al Ansari, Ibn `Umar, Abu Musa, Abu Bakra and Jabir ibn `Abdullah.

1 –The Hadith of Al Mughira ibn Sh`ubah was reported by Al Bukhari(1) and Muslim.(2)

2 - The Hadith of `A’ishah also was reported by Al Bukhari (3) and Muslim. (4)

3 –Whereas the Hadith of Ibn `Abbas was reported by Al Bukhari (5) and Muslim (6).

4 - As for the Haditth of Abu Mas`ud Al Ansari was reported by Al Bukhari (7) and Muslim. (8)

5 - The Hadith of Ibn `Umar was reported by Al Bukhari (9) and Muslim.(10)

6 - The Hadith of Abu Musa was reported by Al Bukhari (11) and Muslim (12) on the authority of Abu Musa who said that the sun eclipsed in the life-time of the Prophet(may  the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) then he got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment). Then he said: "These signs which Allah sends do not occur because of the life or death of somebody…..” 

7 - As for the Hadith of Abu Bakra was reported by Al Bukhari(13) and An-Nasa’i. (14)

8 - The Hadith of Jabir ibn `Abdullah was reported by a Muslim. (15)

Reasoning:

This Hadith was held as evidence by Dr. `Abdul `Alim `Abdur- Rahman Khidhr in his book (Method of Faith for Cosmic Studies) (16), and was concluded that this Hadith coincides with the scientific explanations for the phenomenon of eclipse. And it refuses any concept contradicts the scientific approach. `Abdul `Alim `Abdur- Rahman Khidhr adds: "The phenomenon of eclipses has many scientific explanations that coincide with the words of the Prophet (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him), who fought against superstitions and ending every interpretation engulfed by the legends before the revelation of the Dignified Qur'an.

From scientific point of view, when the moon is full especially when it is totally in the zodiac region the earth blocks the rays of sun from the moon casting its own shadow resulted from the sunlight on the surface of moon. The width of the earth’s shadow over the moon extends to five thousand and seven hundred miles while the diameter of the moon remains within two thousand and one hundred and sixty miles only so that the moon crosses area of the earth’s shadow within thirty hours and forty minutes.

The lunar eclipse occurs twice a year or at least once in a year. This eclipse is repeated within every two hundred and twenty-three lunar months that equals eighteen years eleven days and four hours which is called in the astronomy ‘Saros Cyclone’. Anyway, the full lunar eclipse does not occur but only when the moon comes gradually under the earth’s curved shadow hence, the sunlight is blocked from the surface of the moon. That is why the moon appears almost obscure because the moon during the eclipse seems like a covered object reflecting a coppery red dim light. Nevertheless, the redness results from the sunlight when it tries to pass by the crust of the earth but its rays are broken because of the earth’s body. Moreover, the dust of the earth's atmosphere blocks the blue color to pass by it to the moon as it allows only the red color to pass through it. That is why the color of the moon appears dim and red and the same happens with the color of the sun. However, it is brighter in the time of sunset. Sometimes it appears dim and black or dark red. In fact, it depends on the weather prevailing in the atmosphere surrounding the earth at the time of eclipse or it is determined by the activity of storm raising the dusts ... “

Furthermore, `Abdul `Alim `Abdur- Rahman Khidhr adds: "Religion of Islam has discard any idea goes against the scientific point of view about eclipse. We have seen now how the Messenger of Allah (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) abolished any concept emerging from legends about the solar or lunar eclipse. This provides best proof for the fact that Islam invites to the scientific outlook and rejects all sorts of superstition and legends." End of quote.

In addition, Shawqi Abu Khalil has inferred to this Hadith in his book (Human being Between Science and Religion) (17) and concluded that the Prophet of Allah (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) has put an end to all absurdities and blind beliefs of the astrologers and superficial concepts of the people about the causes of eclipses, etc.. Nevertheless, Shawqi Abu Khalil does not give any detail of the eclipse in the context of this Hadith because, he has detailed it previously. (18).

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(*) Method of Faith for Cosmic Studies (p. 181).

(1) Sahih Al Bukhari in the book of solar eclipse, chapter on (Prayer during the solar eclipse (2/526 Hadith No. 1043) and in the chapter on (Supplication during the lunar eclipse) (2/546 Hadith No. 1060) and in the book of discipline, chapter on (Who was named after the names of the Prophets (10/578 Hadith No. 6199).

(2) Sahih Muslim in the book of eclipse, chapter on (Announcing about the eclipse prayer by saying "The prayer is ready"(2/640 Hadith No. 915).

 (3) Sahih Al Bukhari in the book of eclipse, chapter on (Charity during the eclipse (2/529 Hadith No. 1044) and in the chapter on (The fact that the sun does not eclipse for anyone’s death or life) (2/545 Hadith No. 1058) and in the chapter on (Sermon of Imam during the eclipse) (2/533 Hadith No. 1046) and in the chapter on (Saying “The sun or moon has eclipsed”) (2/535 Hadith No. 1047), and in the chapter on (The fact that the sun does not eclipse for anyone’s death or life) (2/545 Hadith No. 1058) and in the book of doing something during the prayer, chapter on (If someone’s animal flees (during his prayer)) (3/81 Hadith No. 1212) and in the book of the beginning of creation, chapter on (Prescription of the sun and moon) (6/297 Hadith No. 3203).

(4) Sahih Muslim in the book of eclipse, chapter on (The eclipse prayer) (2/619 620 Hadith No. 901).

(5) Sahih Al Bukhari in the chapter on (The eclipse prayer in congregation) (2/540 Hadith No. 1052) and in the book of the beginning of creation, chapter on (Prescription of the sun and moon) (6/297 Hadith No. 3202) and in the book of marriage, chapter on (Ingratitude of intimates) (9/298 Hadith No.5197).

(6) Sahih Muslim (2/627), (2/626 Hadith No. 907).

(7) Sahih Al Bukhari in the chapter on (Prayer during the solar eclipse) (2/526 Hadith No. 1041) and in the chapter on (The fact that the sun does not eclipse for anyone’s death or life) (2/545 Hadith No. 1057) and in the book of the beginning of creation, chapter on (Prescription of the sun and moon) (6/297 Hadith No. 3204).

(8) Sahih Muslim (2/628 Hadith No. 911/21, 22, 23).

(9) Sahih Al Bukhari (2/526 Hadith 1042) and (6/297 Hadith No. 3201).

(10) Sahih Muslim (2/630 Hadith No. 914).

(11) Sahih Al Bukhari in the chapter on(Remembrance of Allah during the eclipse) (2/545 Hadith No. 1059).

(12) Sahih Muslim (2/628, 629 Hadith No. 912).

(13) Sahih Al Bukhari (2/526, 536, 547 Hadith No. 1040, 1048, 1063) in the book of dress, chapter on (Whoever drags his garment without pride) (10/254 255 Hadith No. 5785).

(14) Sunan An-Nasa’i (3/124, 126, 127, 146, 152, 153 Hadith No. 1459, 1463, 1491, 1502).

(15) Sahih Muslim in the chapter on (Heaven and Hell were shown to the Prophet (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) during the eclipse prayer) (2/622, 623 Hadith No. 904).

(16) Method of Faith for Cosmic Studies in the Dignified Qur’an (p. 181).

(17) Human Being Between Science and Religion - Supplement – entitled (Some miracles of the Prophet (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him)) (p. 241).

(18) (p. 117-119).

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