Some phenomenon occurring in nature has uncommon
characteristics which create fear among the people. In Islam, Salat al-Ayat has
been made obligatory so that man’s attention is diverted towards the Creator of
the universe and regard His Power as the source of these changes and occurrences.
When the son of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Ibrahim
died, there was a Solar Eclipse. The people started saying that because of the
death of Ibrahim, there was a Solar Eclipse. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) mounted the pulpit (minbar) and said: “O
People! The sun and the moon are the signs of Allah. They run on the respective
courses by His command, and they are subservient to Him. Eclipses take place
not on account of death or life of anyone. So, if there is Solar or Lunar Eclipse, you offer prayer.”
“The Infallible Imam Jafar al-Sadiq
(a.s.) narrated that his father the Infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.)
said: “Earthquakes, Solar and Lunar Eclipses, strong and dreadful winds, are
among the Signs of the Day of Resurrection. Whenever you happen to witness
them, think of the Day of Resurrection, seek refuge in the mosques, and stand
in prayer.”
Salat al-Ayat is
obligatory on every Muslim, and should be performed at any time as long as he
lives. But sooner one performs it, the better. It should be recited on the eve
of celestial phenomena like partial or total Solar and Lunar Eclipses,
Earthquake, thunder and lightning, red and black strong winds which frightens
most of the people. It is obligatory on the Muslims of that particular city
where that phenomenon is taking place with intention(niyyah) of “Ada”. It
should be recited after the commencement of the event like Lunar Eclipse and
before it comes out of the Eclipse. If the Eclipse is ended then the niyyah
should be of “Qaza”.
Method of offering
salat al-Ayat:
Salat al-Ayat consists
of two raka’at. In each raka’at there are five Ruku. After making the niyyah of
offering the salat, one should say Takbir (Allaho Akbar) and recite Surah
al-Hamd and any other Surah, and then perform the Ruku. Thereafter, he should
stand and recite al-Hamd and any other Surah and then perform another Ruku. He
should repeat this action five times, and, when he stands after the fifth Ruku,
he should perform two Sajdah, and then stand up to perform the second Raka’t in
the same manner as he has done in the first Rak’at. Then he should recite
Tashahud and Salam.
If a person doubts as to how many Raka’ats he has offered in
Salat al-Ayat, and is unable to arrive at a decision, then his prayer is void,
and he should start again.
Sources used:
Islamic Laws by Ayatullah sayyid Ali al-Husayni al-Seestani
Salat al-Ayat by Hujjatal Islam Muhsin Qara’ati
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