Salat al-Kusuf: The Islamic Eclipse Prayer Explained

On Wednesday, parts of Europe will be plunged into daytime darkness as the moon passes in front of the sun, temporarily blocking its light and casting a shadow across the continent. For many, it's a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. For others, like Mark Griffiths, who drove two days from Cheshire to Galicia to record the event, it's an obsession. "I'll be honest, it's like an addiction now," he says. But for Muslims worldwide, an eclipse carries a different kind of weight—a call to prayer.

Salat al-Kusuf is the Islamic prayer performed during a solar eclipse. It's a sunnah (recommended) act, rooted in the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who prayed during a solar eclipse and taught that eclipses are signs of God's power, not omens of misfortune. The prayer is a spiritual act of humility and remembrance, a way to acknowledge the Creator's majesty in the face of a cosmic event.

What is Salat al-Kusuf?

Salat al-Kusuf is a special prayer consisting of two rak'ahs (units), but unlike regular prayers, each rak'ah includes two recitations of Quranic verses, two bowings (ruku), and two prostrations (sujud). This makes the prayer longer and more deliberate than the daily prayers. It's typically performed in congregation, often followed by a sermon (khutbah) that reinforces the spiritual lesson of the eclipse.

The prayer is also prescribed for lunar eclipses, known as Salat al-Khusuf. In modern times, Islamic authorities continue to call for it. For instance, the UAE authority has called for the eclipse prayer during the Blood Moon on September 7, showing that this practice remains relevant today.

Why do Muslims pray during an eclipse?

In Islamic tradition, an eclipse is not a sign of death or misfortune, but a reminder of God's greatness. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that the sun and moon are signs of God; they do not eclipse because of anyone's death or life. When you see them, remember God and pray. This teaching frames the eclipse as a moment of reflection, a chance to turn one's attention to the divine.

The spiritual significance of an eclipse in Islam is about humility. Just as the moon momentarily blocks the sun's light, humans are reminded of their own limitations and dependence on a higher power. The prayer is a physical expression of that humility—bowing, prostrating, and reciting Quranic verses in a state of awe.

This perspective contrasts with the secular wonder of eclipse chasers like Mark Griffiths. His hobby started six years ago when he went to Shetland to see the northern lights—though the weather was so dreary he "didn't see anything." But it didn't put him off. He's since filmed the northern lights numerous times, goes to Iceland once a month, and has photographed auroras, eclipses, and bioluminescence. For him, mainland Europe's first total solar eclipse in more than 25 years is "like what the World Cup is to football."

Yet both the eclipse chaser and the worshipper share a sense of awe. One captures it with cameras and telescopes; the other expresses it through prayer. The eclipse is a moment that transcends culture, prompting both scientific curiosity and spiritual reflection.

How to Perform Salat al-Kusuf

While the exact details can vary among schools of thought, the core structure is consistent. The prayer begins with the intention (niyyah) to pray Salat al-Kusuf. Then, the imam leads the congregation through the following steps:

1. First rak'ah: Recite the opening takbir, then recite Quranic verses (longer than usual), bow (ruku), stand up, and recite again.
2. Second bowing: After the second recitation, bow again, then prostrate (sujud) twice.
3. Second rak'ah: Repeat the same pattern—two recitations, two bowings, and two prostrations.
4. Conclude with tashahhud and salam.

After the prayer, the imam delivers a sermon, reminding the congregation of God's power and the importance of repentance and charity. The prayer is meant to be performed in congregation, though it can be done individually if necessary.

For those new to the practice, it's helpful to know that the prayer is not obligatory but highly recommended. It's a way to engage with the eclipse beyond mere observation, turning a natural phenomenon into a moment of spiritual connection.

Salat al-Kusuf vs. Salat al-Khusuf

While Salat al-Kusuf is specifically for solar eclipses, Salat al-Khusuf is the corresponding prayer for lunar eclipses. Both follow the same structure and are performed in congregation, with the same emphasis on humility and remembrance. The distinction is primarily in the celestial event that prompts them, but the spiritual intent is identical.

Eclipses in the Modern Muslim World

The call to pray during eclipses isn't just historical. As mentioned, the UAE authority has issued a call for the eclipse prayer during the upcoming Blood Moon. This shows that Islamic institutions continue to see eclipses as moments of worship, not just astronomical events.

For Muslims, the eclipse is a reminder of the transient nature of the world. The sun's light returns, the moon moves on, and life continues. But the moment of darkness is a chance to pause, reflect, and remember what truly matters.

Whether you're an eclipse chaser like Mark Griffiths, who drove across Europe with two high-spec cameras, a specialist telescope, and a drone, or someone who prefers to observe from your backyard, the eclipse offers a moment of shared wonder. For Muslims, that wonder is channeled into prayer—a practice that has endured for centuries and continues to connect believers to the divine.

If you're curious about the exact timing of the eclipse in your area, check out our 2026 solar eclipse guide for August 12. And if you're interested in the broader science behind eclipses, you might also enjoy our piece on why Earth won't lose gravity for 7 seconds—a common myth that persists despite being debunked.

In the end, whether you're praying, photographing, or just watching, the eclipse is a reminder of the vastness of the universe and our small place within it. For Muslims, it's a call to remember God. For others, it's a call to wonder. Either way, it's a moment worth pausing for.