to learn, so that when they return to their people, they may inform them of what they have learned of the Sacred Law. However, in both jihad and the pursuit of knowledge, one must rectify one’s intention and make it sincere for Allah. This is a demanding condition—I mean, sincerity of intention. As Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The condition of intention is difficult; yet it was made dear to me, so I undertook it.”

The Most Emphatic of Them Is the Eclipse Prayer

His statement, “The most emphatic of them is the eclipse prayer,” means that the most emphatic voluntary prayer is the eclipse prayer, because the Prophet ﷺ commanded it (1), went out to perform it in a state of alarm (2), and performed an unusual prayer. During that prayer, Paradise and Hell were shown to him (3). Afterward, he delivered a powerful and eloquent sermon (4), and he prescribed congregational prayer for it, commanding a caller to announce: “The prayer is to be held in congregation” (5). It is therefore the most emphatic of the voluntary prayers.

It is understood from the author’s words that the eclipse prayer is a supererogatory prayer, falling under the category of voluntary acts. However, the scholars differ concerning this.