The Prayer for Eclipses, Earthquakes, Winds, and Oppression and Their Causes

Hadith.1506 - Imam Zain al-Abidin Ali ibn al-Hussein (as) said: "Among the signs that Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious, has decreed for people and that they are in need of is the sea which Allah (swt) created between the sky and the earth." Imam (as) continued, "Indeed, Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, has arranged within it the courses of the sun, the moon, and the stars, and He has placed all of these upon a celestial sphere. He has assigned an angel to this sphere, along with seventy thousand other angels, and they rotate the sphere. When they cause it to rotate, the sun, moon, and stars also rotate with it, moving into the positions that Allah (swt) has ordained for them for each day and night. When the sins of the servants increase and Allah (swt) wills to warn them with a sign from His signs, He commands the angel in charge of the celestial sphere to move it from its usual course." Imam (as) said: "The angel commands the seventy thousand angels to shift the sphere from its course." Imam (as) added, "As a result, the sun descends into the sea where the celestial sphere is, causing its light to be obscured and its color to change. If Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious, wills to make the sign more significant, He immerses it further into the sea, as He desires to instill fear in His servants with this sign." Imam (as) continued, "This happens during a solar eclipse, and the same occurs with the moon. When Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious, wills to reveal and return it to its course, He commands the angel in charge of the sphere to restore it. The angel then returns it to its course, and the sun emerges from the water, appearing dim, and the moon experiences the same." Then, Imam Zain al-Abidin Ali ibn al-Hussein said: "No one becomes fearful of these signs or is filled with awe except those who are from our followers. When such signs occur, seek refuge with Allah (swt) the Exalted and turn to Him."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1507 - The Prophet (sw) said: "Indeed, the sun and the moon are two signs from among the signs of Allah (swt). They move according to His decree and stop according to His command. They do not eclipse due to the death or life of anyone. So, when one of them eclipses, hasten to your mosques."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1508 - The sun was eclipsed during the time of Amir al-Mu'minin (as), and he led the people in prayer until a man could see another man whose feet were soaked with sweat.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1509 - Abdul-Rahman ibn Abi Abdullah asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about windstorms, darkness in the sky, and eclipses. Imam (as) replied: "The prayer for all of them is the same”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1510 - In the explanations attributed to al-Fadl ibn Shadhan, narrated from Imam al-Ridha (as), He said: "The prayer for the eclipse was instituted because it is one of the signs of Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, and it is not known whether it appeared as a mercy or as a punishment. Therefore, The Prophet (sw) wanted his community to turn in supplication to their Creator and Merciful Lord (azj) at such moments so that He might avert its harm from them and protect them from its displeasure, just as He protected the people of Yunus (Jonah) when they turned to Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious, in supplication." He continued: "It was established with ten units of prayer because the original prayer, whose obligation was revealed from the heavens, initially consisted of ten units during the day and night, so these units were combined here. The inclusion of prostration is because any prayer that contains bowing must also contain prostration, and it serves to conclude their prayer with submission and humility. Four prostrations were specified because any prayer lacking four prostrations cannot be considered a valid prayer, as the minimum obligatory prostrations in a prayer are four. The reason that bowing (Ruku') was not substituted with prostration is that prayer standing up is superior to prayer sitting down, and because one standing can witness the eclipse above, whereas one in prostration cannot see it." He added: "The prayer for the eclipse was altered from the original form of prayer that Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious, had prescribed because it is performed due to a change in one of the natural phenomena, the eclipse. When the cause changes, the practice associated with it changes accordingly."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1513 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, commanded the whale to carry the earth, and each land among the lands rests on one of its scales. When Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious, wills to cause an earthquake in a land, He commands the whale to move that specific scale, and it moves. If the scale were lifted, the earth would be overturned by the permission of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1514 - Sulaiman al-Daylami asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about earthquakes and what they are. Imam (as) said: "It is a sign." Sulaiman then asked: "What is its cause?" Imam (as) said: "Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, has assigned an angel to the veins (roots) of the earth. When Allah (swt) wishes to cause an earthquake in a land, He commands that angel to move a specific vein." Imam continued, "The angel moves that vein of the land which Allah (swt) has commanded, and it shakes along with its inhabitants." Sulaiman asked: "What should I do when that happens?" Imam (as) replied: "Pray the Prayer of the Eclipse (Salat al-Kusuf), and when you have completed it, fall into prostration to Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious, and say in your prostration: Yumsiku as-samāwāti wa al-arḍa an tazūlā, wa la’in zālatā in amsakahumā min aḥadin min ba‘dihi, innahu kāna ḥalīman ghafūrā.Yā man "yumsiku as-samā’a an taqa‘a ‘ala al-arḍi illa bi-idhnihi," amsik ‘annā as-sū’a innaka ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr. 'O’ He who holds the heavens and the earth lest they should fall apart, and if they were to fall apart, none would hold them except Him. Truly, He is Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving. O’ He who holds the heaven from falling upon the earth except by His permission, withhold harm from us, for You have power over all things.'"

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1515 - It is narrated from Ali ibn Mahziyar who said: "I wrote to Abu Ja'far (as) and complained to him about the frequent earthquakes in Ahwaz and asked him, 'Do you think I should move away from there?' He (as) wrote back, 'Do not move away from there. Fast on Wednesday, Thursday, and Jumu’ah, perform ghusl (ritual purification), purify your clothes, and go out on Jumu’ah to pray to Allah (swt), for He will lift it (the earthquakes) from you.' Ali ibn Mahziyar continued, 'We did as he instructed, and the earthquakes subsided.'"

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1517 - Imam Ali (as) said: "The wind has a head and wings."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1518 - t is narrated from Kamil, who said: "I was with Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) in al-‘Urayd when a strong wind blew. Abu Ja'far (as) began to say 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah (swt) is the Greatest) repeatedly, and then said: 'Indeed, saying Takbir (Allahu Akbar) repels the wind.'"

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1519 - Imam (as) said: "Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, does not send any wind except as a mercy or as a punishment. When you see it (the wind), say, 'O’ Allah (swt), we ask You for its good and the good of what it was sent for, and we seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what it was sent for.' Also, recite Takbir (say 'Allahu Akbar') and raise your voices with Takbir, for it breaks (the strength of) the wind."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1521 - Imam (as) said: "No wind ever blows except in measure, except during the time of the people of ‘Aad, for it broke loose against its keepers and came out like the eye of a needle, destroying the people of ‘Aad."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1522 - Ali ibn Ri'ab reported from Abu Basir, who said: I asked Abu Ja'far (as) about the four winds—the North wind (Shamal), the South wind (Janub), the East wind (Saba), and the West wind (Dabur). I told him, "The people say that the North wind is from Paradise and the South wind is from Hell." Imam (as) said: "Indeed, Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, has armies from among the winds with which He punishes those who disobey Him. Each wind has an angel in charge who is obeyed. When Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, wishes to punish a people with a particular type of wind, He reveals to the angel in charge of that wind that He intends to use it as a punishment. The angel commands it, and it rages as an enraged lion would. Each wind has a name. Do you not hear the words of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic: 'Indeed, We sent upon them a screaming wind on a day of continuous calamity' (Quran 54:19) and His words, 'the barren wind' (Quran 51:41), and 'a whirlwind containing fire, which burned it' (Quran 2:266)? And what Allah (swt) mentioned in the Book about the winds by which He punishes those who disobey Him. Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, also has winds of mercy—pollinating winds, winds that stir the clouds and drive them, winds that hold the clouds between the sky and the earth, winds that squeeze the clouds and make them rain by Allah’s (swt) permission, and winds that disperse the clouds. These are among the winds that Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, has mentioned in the Book. As for the four winds, they are the names of angels—North (Shamal), South (Janub), East (Saba), and West (Dabur). Each of these winds has an angel in charge of it. When Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, wants to send a north wind, He commands the angel named Shamal, who descends upon the Sacred House (Kaaba), stands by the Yemeni Corner, and strikes with his wings, causing the north wind to scatter wherever Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, wills, over land and sea. Similarly, when Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, wishes to send the east wind, He commands the angel named Saba, who descends upon the Sacred House, stands by the Yemeni Corner, and strikes with his wings, causing the east wind to scatter wherever Allah (swt) wills over land and sea. When Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, desires to send the south wind, He commands the angel named Janub, who descends upon the Sacred House, stands by the Yemeni Corner, and strikes with his wings, causing the south wind to scatter wherever Allah (swt) wills. When Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, intends to send the west wind, He commands the angel named Dabur, who descends upon the Sacred House, stands by the Yemeni Corner, and strikes with his wings, causing the west wind to scatter wherever Allah (swt) wills over land and sea."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1524 - Imam Ali (as) said: "There are five types of wind, and among them is the barren wind (al-‘aqim), from whose harm we seek refuge in Allah (swt)."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1525 - When a yellow, red, or black wind would blow, the Prophet (sw) would become visibly changed—his face would turn pale, and his color would change as if he were fearful and anxious. He would remain in this state until a drop of rain fell from the sky, at which point his color would return, and he would say, 'It has come to you with mercy.'

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1526 - Zurarah and Muhammad ibn Muslim reported from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) that they asked him, "What do you say about these winds and darkness that occur? Should one pray because of them?" Imam (as) said: "For every fear-inducing phenomenon from the sky, be it darkness, wind, or dread, pray the prayer of the eclipse (Salat al-Kusuf) until it subsides."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1527 - Muhammad ibn Muslim and Burayd ibn Muawiya narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) and Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) who said: "When an eclipse or any of these celestial signs occurs, perform the prayer (Salat al-Kusuf) as long as you do not fear missing the time of an obligatory prayer. If you fear that the time of the obligatory prayer will pass, then begin with the obligatory prayer and interrupt your Salat al-Kusuf. Once you have completed the obligatory prayer, return to where you left off in the Salat al-Kusuf and continue from there, counting what you have already performed."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1528 - It is reported from Ali ibn al-Fadl al-Wasiti that He said: "I wrote to Imam al-Ridha (as) asking about what to do if the sun or moon eclipses while I am riding and unable to dismount. He (as) wrote back to me saying, 'Pray on your mount, whatever you are on.'".

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1529 - It is narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim and al-Fudhayl ibn Yasar that they said: "We asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as): Should one make up the prayer for an eclipse if he becomes aware of it in the morning or evening after it has occurred? He (as) replied: 'If both discs (the sun and the moon) were completely eclipsed, you must make it up. However, if only a part of either of them was eclipsed, then you are not required to make it up.'"

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1530 - Al-Halabi asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about the prayer for the eclipse (Salat al-Kusuf) of the sun and moon. Imam (as) said: "It consists of ten rak'ahs (units of prayer) and four prostrations (Sujood). You perform five bowings (ruku) and then prostrate (Sujood) in the fifth. Then you perform another five bowings and prostrate in the tenth. If you wish, you can recite a chapter (Surah) in each rak'ah, or if you prefer, you may recite half of a chapter in each rak'ah. If you recite a chapter in each rak'ah, then recite the opening of the Book (Al-Fatiha). If you choose to recite half a chapter, it suffices to recite Al-Fatiha only in the first rak'ah until you start another chapter. And you should not say 'Sami' Allahu liman hamidah' (Allah (swt) hears the one who praises Him) when rising from ruku except in the rak'ah where you intend to prostrate."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1531 - Umar ibn Udhaynah narrated: "The Qunoot (supplication) is to be recited in the second rak'ah before bowing (ruku), then in the fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth rak'ahs."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.1532 - Hammad ibn Uthman narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that during a discussion about the eclipse of the moon and the hardship that people endure because of it, He (Imam Al-Sadiq) said: "If a part of it (the moon) has cleared, then it has cleared”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.