Solar Eclipse in Islam

On Wednesday 12th August 2026, a major solar eclipse will be visible across the UK. At its height, the moon will cover around 90% of the sun in London, with even greater coverage expected in parts of south-west England.

For many of us, this will be a rare opportunity to witness an extraordinary event in the sky. But what does a solar eclipse mean in Islam? Is it a warning, an omen or simply a natural phenomenon?

In Islam, a solar eclipse is one of the signs of Allah (swt) and an occasion to remember Him. Muslims are encouraged to perform Salat al-Kusuf, make du‘a, seek forgiveness and give Sadaqah.

The Prophet (saw) taught us exactly how Muslims should understand and respond to an eclipse. Far from being an occasion for superstition, it is a time to remember Allah, turn to Him in prayer and reflect upon His power.

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, blocking some or all of the sun’s light.

Although the moon is much smaller than the sun, it is also much closer to the earth. From our viewpoint, the two can therefore appear to be almost the same size. When they align, the moon casts its shadow upon part of the earth.

The eclipse on 12th August 2026 will be total in parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain. In the UK, it will be a partial eclipse, but an unusually deep one. Around 90% of the sun will be covered in London, rising to approximately 95% in Cornwall.

In London, the eclipse is expected to begin at around 6.17pm, reach its maximum at 7.12pm and end at approximately 8.06pm. Timings will vary slightly across the country.

What does a solar eclipse mean in Islam?

In the Qur’an, Allah describes the sun and moon as signs of His power:

‘Among His signs are the night and the day, the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them…’

[The Noble Qur’an, 41:37]

The Arabic word used for a sign is ayah, the same word used for a verse of the Qur’an. The skies around us are filled with signs which direct our attention towards their Creator.

A solar eclipse is therefore more than a fascinating sight. It is an opportunity to pause and recognise the perfect order Allah has placed within creation.

Knowing the scientific explanation for an eclipse does not take away from its spiritual meaning. We can understand how the moon moves in front of the sun while also reflecting upon the One who created both and set them upon their courses.

Allah says, ‘The sun travels for its fixed term. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing. As for the moon, We have ordained phases for it…' [The Noble Qur’an, 36:38-39].

The ability to calculate an eclipse years in advance is itself possible because the sun and moon follow the order Allah has established for them.

Is a solar eclipse a bad omen?

Islam does not teach that a solar eclipse predicts a death, disaster or change in someone’s fortune. Nor is it connected to horoscopes or the movement of star signs.

The Prophet (saw) corrected this belief after a deeply personal loss.

His young son Ibrahim (ra) passed away on the same day that a solar eclipse occurred. Some people began to say that the sun had eclipsed because of Ibrahim’s death.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) could have remained silent and allowed people to treat the eclipse as a sign of his son’s importance. Instead, even while grieving, he immediately corrected them:

This is one of the most powerful lessons from the story. Islam does not allow us to invent supernatural explanations for natural events, even if the claim appears to honour someone we love.

A solar eclipse should lead us towards the remembrance of Allah, prayer and reflection, but it should not lead to superstition. There is also no authentic Islamic evidence that an eclipse brings bad luck or causes particular harm to pregnant women.

How did the Prophet (saw) respond to a solar eclipse?

When the eclipse took place, the Prophet (saw) did not simply stand outside to observe it. He hurried to the mosque and began to pray.

Abu Musa (ra) narrated:

‘The sun eclipsed and the Prophet (saw) got up, afraid that it might be the Hour. He went to the mosque and offered the prayer with the longest standing, bowing and prostration that I had ever seen him perform.’

[Bukhari]

The response of Allah’s Messenger (saw) reminds us of the coming of the Last Day, when the familiar order of the heavens will be transformed.

Allah describes that Day in the Qur’an: 'When the sight is stunned, the moon is dimmed and the sun and the moon are brought together, on that Day people will ask, “Where is the escape?”’ [The Noble Qur’an, 75:7-10].

This does not mean that every eclipse signals that the Day of Judgement is about to begin. Rather, the temporary disappearance of the sun’s light reminds us that the universe is completely dependent upon Allah and that its present order will not last forever.

What is Salat al-Kusuf?

The special prayer offered during a solar eclipse is known as Salat al-Kusuf, the solar eclipse prayer.

It is a confirmed Sunnah and begins once the eclipse becomes visible. Its time ends when the eclipse has cleared. It can be performed at the mosque in congregation or individually.

According to the Hanafi school, Salat al-Kusuf consists of two rak‘ahs performed in the same manner as an ordinary voluntary prayer, with one ruku‘ in each rak‘ah. The Qur’an recitation, bowing and prostration should be lengthened.

It is preferable to perform the prayer in congregation. After the prayer, the imam should make du‘a while the congregation says Amin until the eclipse clears.

Other schools of Islamic law perform two periods of recitation and two bowings in each rak‘ah, based on authentic narrations describing the prayer of the Prophet (saw). Muslims should follow their usual school of thought or the guidance of their local imam.

Women also joined the congregational eclipse prayer during the lifetime of the Prophet (saw). Asma bint Abi Bakr (ra) found Aishah (ra) praying with the community and joined them, remaining in prayer for so long that she became faint. [Bukhari, 1053]

If the eclipse clears while the prayer is taking place, the worshipper should complete the prayer without continuing to lengthen it. If the eclipse ends before the prayer begins, the special eclipse prayer is no longer performed.

What else should Muslims do during a solar eclipse?

The Prophet (saw) encouraged several acts of worship when an eclipse is seen:

Alongside Salat al-Kusuf, we should make sincere du‘a, recite dhikr and seek Allah’s forgiveness. Giving Sadaqah is also specifically mentioned in the Sunnah.

One lesser-known narration states that the Prophet (saw) instructed people to free enslaved people during a solar eclipse. At that time, freeing someone from slavery was among the most significant forms of charity a person could offer [Bukhari].

Today, we can honour this encouragement >by giving Sadaqah to help people facing hardship. A donation made during the eclipse, however small, has the power to turn this moment of reflection into an act of compassion.

Witnessing one of Allah’s great signs should soften our hearts and move us towards actions that benefit others.

A moment to remember Allah

A solar eclipse may now be scientifically understood and accurately predicted, but it remains an astonishing sign of Allah.

For a short time, something we normally take for granted changes before our eyes. The light dims, the temperature may fall and the sun appears as a thin crescent in the sky. The experience reminds us how little control we have over the world around us.

The Prophet (saw) did not teach us to panic or invent stories about what an eclipse might predict. He taught us to pray, remember Allah and consider our return to Him.

As we witness the solar eclipse, let us take a moment away from our ordinary routines. Let us look upon Allah’s creation with wonder, seek His forgiveness and use the occasion to draw closer to Him.

How to view the solar eclipse safely

You should never look directly at the sun, even when most of it is covered. Ordinary sunglasses do not provide enough protection and looking at the eclipse without the correct equipment can permanently damage your eyesight.

Use eclipse glasses which meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard or view the eclipse indirectly with a pinhole projector. A live broadcast is another safe option.

May Allah make us among those who recognise His signs, remember Him often and respond to His reminders with sincere hearts. Amin.

Muslim Hands is an award-winning charity, established in 1993 to help those needing emergency relief and tackling the root causes of poverty. Find out more about us and the way we use your Sadaqah and Zakat.