There will be an annular solar eclipse which will be visible over much of North America beginning early Saturday, October 14th, 2023 wherein Salat al-Ayaat is obligatory (wajib).
The moon will pass in front of the sun and darken Northwest skies between 8:07 a.m. and 10:39 a.m., with maximum coverage at 9:20 a.m.
This will be the last annual solar eclipse until 2039. The chances may not be great for Seattleites to see the rare "ring of fire" eclipse on Saturday morning, since rain is expected.
This eclipse will be partial in the Seattle area and Washington state. Salat al-Ayaat is still obligatory (wajib).
Religious obligation:
During a solar or lunar eclipse, it is obligatory (wajib) to perform a special prayer called Salat al-Ayyat. The prayer becomes wajib even if the moon or the sun are partially eclipsed, and even if they do not engender any fear.
When should I perform Salat al-Ayaat?
The time of Salat al-Ayaat sets in as the eclipse starts, and remains till the eclipse is over.
The specific instructions on how to perform the prayer are given below.
Note, that Salat al-Ayaat is not required upon a woman who is in her menses (haydh) or postpartum bleeding (nifas), nor would she be required to make-up the prayer (qadha).
How to perform the prayer of “al-Ayaat”, a two unit (Rakah) prayer with five Ruku in each unit:
1. Make the intention (Niyyah) of offering the prayers as “Salat al-Ayaat”. 2. One should say Takbir: “Allahu Akbar” 3. Recite Surat al-Fatiha and any other Surah* 4. Then perform Ruku. 5. After Ruku, then stand and recite Surat al-Fatiha and any other Surah and then perform another Ruku. 6. One should repeat this action (steps 3 & 4) five times, and when one stands after the fifth Ruku, one should then proceed to perform the two Sajdah (as in the normal Fajr prayer). Then stand up to perform the second Rakah in the same manner as was done in the first Rakah (with the five Ruku). 7. After performing the second set of Sajdah, one should recite Tashahhud and end the prayer with Salam to complete it.
*Please note that a person is allowed to say Takbir and recite Surat al-Fatiha and then divide the verses of another Surah into five parts, and recite one verse or more or less, and thereafter perform the Ruku. One should then stand up and recite another part of the Surah (without reciting Surat al-Fatiha) and then perform another Ruku. This should be repeated and the Surah must be finished before performing the fifth Ruku. For more details see the Islamic Law Book by clicking here.
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