and Hell in that setting. He said, “I have never seen any day more dreadful than this day” (1), for Hell was displayed to him and brought so near that he recoiled from it—that is, he stepped backward in fear of its scorching blast (2). Glory be to Allah! The matter is grave. An eclipse is not something insignificant, as people today imagine it to be, or as the enemies of the Muslims portray it, so that the hearts of Muslims may remain like stones—or even harder in cruelty. We seek Allah’s protection.

The moon or the sun is eclipsed while people remain absorbed in their worldly lives: songs are heard, and everything continues as it was. You find no one except young people turning toward the religion of Allah, or a few elderly men and women; otherwise, people carry on heedlessly, engrossed in amusement. For this reason, people take no admonition from eclipses, whether of the sun or the moon, even though they are a serious matter that must be given due concern.

Question: Is it preferable to inform people of it before it occurs?

Answer: There is no doubt that its coming suddenly has a greater impact upon people’s hearts. But if people speak of it before it occurs, and their hearts become accustomed and prepared for it, it comes to seem like an ordinary matter—as though it were an Eid prayer for which people gather.

Therefore, there is absolutely no benefit in announcing it beforehand; indeed, it is closer to being harmful than beneficial.

If someone were to say, “Should we not inform people so that they may prepare themselves for this matter?”

The answer is: We say, “Do not wish to meet the enemy; rather, ask Allah for safety. But when you meet them, then remain steadfast.” Rather, when it occurs and we see it with our own eyes, then we do what we have been commanded to do.