Some scholars, however—and this is the position of the madhhab—maintain that an announcement should be made for the rain prayer and the two Eid prayers: “The prayer is about to begin.”

But this view is unsound, and it is not valid to draw an analogy between them and the eclipse prayer, for two reasons:

First: an eclipse occurs suddenly, especially in earlier times, when people did not know of it until it actually occurred.

Second: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not make such an announcement for the rain prayer or the two Eid prayers. Whatever had its cause present during the Prophet’s lifetime, yet he did not do it, then doing it is an innovation. For there was nothing preventing the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, from making the announcement; had this occasion warranted an announcement, he would have instructed the caller to announce it.

Thus, the correct view is that no announcement is made for the two Eid prayers or the rain prayer.

Issue: The eclipse prayer differs from the rest of the prayers in several respects:

1. Each prayer cycle contains an additional bowing after the first bowing.

2. It includes recitation after bowing.

3. Its recitation, bowing, and prostration are lengthened.

4. The recitation is made aloud, whether the eclipse occurs at night or during the day.

5. If the prayer ends and the eclipse has not cleared, it is prescribed to engage in remembrance of Allah, seek forgiveness, proclaim His greatness, and free slaves. This distinction lies outside the prayer itself, but it is nevertheless a valid distinction.