The Prophet (ﷺ) once offered the eclipse prayer. He stood for a long time and then did a prolonged
bowing. He stood up straight again and kept on standing for a long time, then bowed a long bowing
and then stood up straight and then prostrated a prolonged prostration and then lifted his head and
prostrated a prolonged prostration. And then he stood up for a long time and then did a prolonged
bowing and then stood up straight again and kept on standing for a long time. Then he bowed a long
bowing and then stood up straight and then prostrated a prolonged prostration and then lifted his head
and went for a prolonged prostration. On completion o the prayer, he said, "Paradise became s near to
me that if I had dared, I would have plucked one of its bunches for you and Hell became so near to me
that said, 'O my Lord will I be among those people?' Then suddenly I saw a woman and a cat was
lacerating her with it claws. On inquiring, it was said that the woman had imprisoned the cat till it died
of starvation and she neither fed it no freed it so that it could feed itself."
Narrated by Narrated Asma' bint Abi Bakr:
Context
Asma' bint Abi Bakr narrates the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) performance of the eclipse prayer, which involved prolonged standing, bowing, and prostration. This detailed account highlights the Prophet's (ﷺ) dedication to prayer and the significance of seeking forgiveness and guidance during extraordinary events.
Modern Application
This hadith encourages Muslims to engage deeply in their prayers, especially during significant moments or events. It serves as a reminder to approach worship with sincerity and dedication, reflecting on the spiritual significance of their actions.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the Prophet's (ﷺ) dedication to prayer and the importance of sincere worship.
Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.
And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allah and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allah. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.