If the eclipse clears during the prayer, he should complete it briefly …
His statement, “If the eclipse clears during it,” refers to either a solar or lunar eclipse, for kusuf (eclipse), when used without qualification, includes both the sun and the moon. When the two terms are used together, however, kusuf refers to a solar eclipse and khusuf to a lunar eclipse.
His statement, “during it,” means during the prayer.
The clearing of the eclipse is known by observation. If it occurs during the day, this is clear; if it occurs at night, the same applies; and if one is indoors, it is known by being informed of it.
His statement, “he should complete it briefly”: the apparent meaning of his words is that this applies even if the brevity of the second rak‘ah, in comparison with the first, is extremely disproportionate. For example, if the first rak‘ah took half an hour, then completing the second rak‘ah briefly might take only five minutes.
The apparent meaning of his words, then, is that this is how it should be, such that the prayer would be as though it were maimed, with some of its limbs cut off.
Their evidence for this is as follows:
- The Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Pray until what has befallen you is relieved” (1). The word “until” denotes an endpoint.
Just as this hadith prevents commencing the prayer anew, it likewise prevents continuing or prolonging it.
- The cause for which the prayer was prescribed has ceased.
Issues:
The first: If an eclipse occurs and then the sky becomes overcast with clouds, should we follow the statements of astronomers regarding the time at which the eclipse clears?