Jama'ah Prayer of Eclipse

Jama’ah Prayer of Eclipse:

a.     It is an affirmed sunnah legalized if an eclipse of the sun or the moon takes place because the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said that if you see any that meaning eclipse, then perform the salah until it clears. This is narrated by Muslim

b.    The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam did not say if you see something of this nature then go and invite people to watch, and clap, and take pictures, and make a festival because this is a sign from Allah for people to contemplate and think about the horrors of the Day of Resurrection when this world will come to and end, these are close signs for people to think and contemplate and to check for their sins and seek forgiveness and hasten to give charity. This is what the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam admonished people at times of eclipses and in our time we see people in “happiness”, inviting tourists to their land to check for “phenomena”.

c.     This salah is two rakat; in the first rakah: one recites openly (loudly) surah Al-Faatihah and a long surah and then he goes in ruku for a long period and then lifts up from ruku saying sami Allahu liman hamiah and does not make sujud rather stands up recites surah Faatihah and another long surah and then makes ruku then stands up again then makes two lengthy prostrations. This is the complete rakah in salatul eclipse. Then he makes the second rakah: in the manner similar to the first one, then sits for tashahud and makes taslim.

d.    And this salah is not to be made up for the person missing it, if missed, either he misses a rakah from it, then he makes up other rakah in the same manner and completes the salah.  

e.     This salah can be done in times when it is prohibited to pray because it is linked to a cause; when it is present, it can be made.

f.     It is sunnah for the Imam to admonish the people and to remind them and incite them to make tawbah and make istighfar – seeking repentance from Allah and His forgiveness.

Taken from: http://msscofccny.multiply.com/links/item/32/