are concerned only with outward appearances and take heed only of what is plainly visible. Thus, when people came to know the physical causes of solar and lunar eclipses, their impact upon people’s hearts diminished, until they came to seem like an ordinary matter. We remember that, before we came to know these matters, whenever an eclipse occurred, people would be seized by intense fear: they would weep profusely and go to the mosques frightened and terrified.

This is what happened to the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, when the sun was eclipsed for the first time during his lifetime. It occurred after the sun had risen about a spear’s length above the horizon, and the world grew dark. The people were alarmed, and the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, was greatly alarmed—so much so that his cloak had to be brought after him (1). That is, in his intense alarm, he set out for the mosque wearing only his lower garment, until they followed him with his cloak. He put it on and began dragging it, for in his alarm he did not pause to arrange it properly. He ordered that the call be made: “Prayer is to be held in congregation” (2), so that all the people would gather.

The community gathered—men and women alike—and the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, led them in a prayer unlike any other, for it was in response to a sign unlike any other: a prescribed religious act in response to a cosmic sign. He prolonged it tremendously, to the point that some of the Companions—despite their energy, strength, and eagerness for goodness—became severely exhausted from the length of his standing, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. He bowed for a long time, and likewise prostrated for a long time. Thus, he performed a momentous prayer while the people wept and turned in alarm to Allah, and Paradise was displayed before the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him,