Second issue: The Number of Units in the Eclipse Prayer:
The eclipse prayer is performed as two units, each containing two bowings. The evidence for this is the aforementioned hadith of Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her—as well as the report from Abdullāh ibn Abbās, who said:
“The sun was eclipsed during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him. He stood for a long time, approximately as long as it would take to recite Surah al-Baqarah. He then bowed for a long time, rose, and stood for a long time, though less than the first standing. He then bowed for a long time, though less than the first bowing, and then prostrated. He then stood for a long time, though less than the first standing, bowed for a long time, though less than the first bowing, then rose and stood for a long time, though less than the first standing. He then bowed for a long time, though less than the first bowing, and then prostrated. He concluded the prayer after the sun had cleared, and he—peace and blessings be upon him—said: ‘The sun and the moon are two of Allah’s signs. They are not eclipsed because of anyone’s death or life. When you see this, remember Allah.’
“They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we saw you reach out for something while you were standing there, and then we saw you draw back.’ He—peace and blessings be upon him—said: ‘I saw Paradise and reached for a bunch of grapes. Had I taken hold of it, you would have eaten from it for as long as this world remained. I also saw the Fire, and I have never seen a sight more dreadful than what I saw today. I saw that most of its inhabitants were women.’
“They asked, ‘Why, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied, ‘Because of their ingratitude.’ Someone asked, ‘Do they disbelieve in Allah?’ He said, ‘They are ungrateful to their husbands and ungrateful for kindness. If you treated one of them well for an entire lifetime and she then found one thing displeasing in you, she would say: “I have never seen any good from you.”’”
Reported by al-Bukhārī and Muslim. (1)