“However, if the reports of the astronomers agree upon it, they are hardly mistaken. Despite this, no Sharʿī ruling follows merely from their report, for the ec

Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā (24/258). He goes on to explain that if a person considers the astronomical report likely to be correct and consequently prepares himself at that time to observe the eclipse, this is commendable as a form of hastening to obedience to Allah. Thus, the calculation can be used to know when to look, while the prayer itself remains attached to observation. Shaykh ʿAbdul-ʿAzīz ibn Bāz رحمه الله likewise explained: “فعلق ﷺ الأمر بالصلاة والدعاء والذكر والاستغفار برؤية الكسوف، لا بخبر الحاسبين” “He ﷺ therefore attached the command to pray, supplicate, remember Allah and seek forgiveness to the observation of the eclipse, not to the reports of the astronomers.” He further said: “ويعلم أيضا أنه لا يشرع لأهل بلد لم يقع عندهم الكسوف أن يصلوا؛ لأن الرسول ﷺ علق الأمر بالصلاة وما ذكر معها برؤية الكسوف، لا بالخبر من أهل الحساب بأنه سيقع، ولا بوقوعه في بلد آخر” “It is also known that it is not legislated for the people of a land in which the eclipse has not occurred to pray, because the Messenger ﷺ attached the command to pray, and the other acts mentioned with it, to observing the eclipse — not to the astronomers reporting that it will occur, nor to its occurrence in another land.” Majmūʿ Fatāwā wa-Maqālāt Mutanawwiʿah (15/133). Accordingly, astronomical calculations may be used to alert people to the possibility and timing of an eclipse so that they can look for it. However, the prayer itself is connected to observing the eclipse. Thus, if an eclipse is predicted astronomically but is not actually observed in the locality, the eclipse prayer is not commenced merely on the basis of the calculation. This also applies where cloud cover or similar conditions completely prevent the eclipse from being observed. The astronomical prediction may establish that an eclipse is taking place above the clouds, but the Prophetic instruction concerning the prayer was attached to its observation: “فإذا رأيتموهما…” “When you see them…” ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ In conclusion, the Prophetic command is to hasten to the eclipse prayer when the eclipse is observed. Where there is sufficient time to perform both the eclipse prayer and the obligatory prayer within its prescribed time, there is a recognised basis for beginning with the eclipse prayer, since its cause may disappear. If, however, there is a genuine fear that the obligatory prayer will be missed, the obligatory prayer takes precedence. If the eclipse prayer has already begun, it should be shortened where necessary to preserve sufficient time for the obligatory prayer. Finally, the eclipse prayer is connected to actual observation of the eclipse, not merely its astronomical prediction. Thus, the guiding principles are to hasten to the eclipse prayer when it is observed, while at the same time safeguarding the obligatory prayers and ensuring that they are performed within their prescribed times. Abū ʿAṭiyah 29 Ṣafar 1448H