Bismihi Ta`ala

*POSSIBLE MOON ECLIPSE THIS WEDNESDAY 31ST JANUARY 2018.*

*On Wednesday 31st January 2018, there could be a lunar eclipse to some parts of the world. This is an astronomical calculation and hence will not have a shariah treatment until the moon eclipse is realised truly in the sky. But it is an indication that will only drive us to look in the sky at that particular time. Just like the astronomical moon visibility calculation has no shariah validity until crescent is seen with naked eye in the sky. Yes, the calculation will only recall us to look in the sky that time of moonrise.*
*So at moonrise time on 31st January, the countries like Northern America(Part of South America), Part of Europe, Russia, Saudia Arabia, Asia including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh together with Australia, some eastern and northern African countries including Mauritius, Reunion, Rodrigues and the tropical islands should look in the sky at their moonrise time. To see the possible visibility in your area, please click on https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2018-january-31.*
*So if at moonrise time in your area, the moon eclipse is visible to naked eyes, then it is recommended to read INDIVIDUALLY AT HOME moon eclipse salaah. There is no jamaat and no khutbahs for Moon eclipse salaahs.  One can read 2 or 4 or until moon eclipse still visible. Note that this salaah is recommended and NOT important as sunnah muakadah Sun eclipse salaah.*
*But note that according to Shafe`is, Moon eclipse salaah will be in jamaat and followed by khutbahs, just like sun eclipse.*

*ECLIPSE ACCORDING TO SHARIAH:*
*According to ahadiths, the sun and the moon are two signs of Allah. Hence when they are eclipsed, then this reminds us of the Might of Allah Ta`ala.(Bukhari) Allah Ta`ala frightens us by change in the sky and on earth as a recall of day of Judgement. Read in Quran in Surah Qiyamah that eclipse is a scenario of end of world: ‘’And when the moon will be eclipsed.’’(75:8) So we should be afraid at that time and the sunnah teaches us to turn to salaah quickly and be in obedience of Allah. Reported also that we should do Du`as, say Allahou Akbar, give Sadaqahs and do istighfaar.(Bukhari) So with fear of Allah`s wrath and punishment in our heart, one should do salaahs, du`as, Allahou Akbar, Sadaqahs and repent from our sins. One may put separately a sum for sadaqah that time and then later on give it to poor muslims*

قال سمعت المغيرة بن شعبة يقول
انكسفت الشمس يوم مات إبراهيم فقال الناس انكسفت لموت إبراهيم فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن الشمس والقمر آيتان من آيات الله لا ينكسفان لموت أحد ولا لحياته فإذا رأيتموهما فادعوا الله وصلوا حتى ينجلي
بخاري
لا ينكسفان لموت أحد ولا لحياته ولكن الله تعالى يخوف بها عباده
بخاري
*NO BAD OMEN DURING ECLIPSES:*
*There is no bad omen during eclipses. Rasouloullah SAW clearly denied that eclipse announces any future events.(Bukhari) It is wrongly believed that pregnant women should be careful not use knife, etc. There is no such thing as avoiding mirror that time. In fact, eclipse is ONLY a sign that recall us of Allah and nothing else*.
سمعت المغيرة بن شعبة يقول
انكسفت الشمس يوم مات إبراهيم فقال الناس انكسفت لموت إبراهيم فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن الشمس والقمر آيتان من آيات الله لا ينكسفان لموت أحد ولا لحياته فإذا رأيتموهما فادعوا الله وصلوا حتى ينجلي
بخاري
Mufti Ayoob Mackoojee
+23057921333