Assalam Alaikum Warahmatullah.
Narrated Abu Bakr (RA): We were with Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) when the sun eclipsed. Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque. He led us in a two-Rakat prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared. Then the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone's death. So whenever you see these eclipses pray and invoke (Allah) till the eclipse is over." [Bukhari]
New Zealand will witness a Total Lunar Eclipse shortly after midnight this coming Saturday. The Eclipse will be visible everywhere in New Zealand (weather permitting). For New Zealand the Moon starts to enter the Earth's penumbral shadow (beginning of the partial eclipse) just after 12.30am NZDT on the morning of Sunday, December 11 and then the body of the moon starts moving into the umbral shadow (beginning of the full shadow leading to total eclipse) just after 1.45am. Totality lasts from 3.06 to 3.57 with the deepest eclipse at 3.32 am NZDT. At that time the Moon will be 21° above the horizon in Auckland slightly west of the geographic north,
Muslims witnessing the eclipse (living where the eclipse is happening) SHOULD perform a special prayer called the "Eclipse Prayer" as it is a confirmed stressed Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed SAW (The Arabic terms are Salatul Kusouf when Sun eclipses and, Salatul Khusoof when Moon eclipses).
For those who are to perform this prayer, remember that it is best to perform it in congregation.
You can read more information at:
- The Eclipse Prayer
- The Prophet’s (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) Eclipse Prayer Described
- Who should perform the Eclipse Prayer?
- Watch a graphic explanation (Bilingual)
May Allah accepts your deeds. Amen