When, a boy from the Ansar and I were shooting (arrows) towards two of our targets, the sun was sighted by the people at the height of two or three lances above the horizon. It became black like the black herb called tannumah.
One of us said to his companion: Let us go to the mosque; by Allah, this incident of the sun will surely bring something new in the community of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
As we reached it, we suddenly saw that he (the Prophet) had already come out (of his house). He stepped forward for a long time as much as he could do so in the prayer. But we did not hear his voice. He then performed a bowing and prolonged it as much as he could do in the prayer. But we did not hear his voice. He then prostrated himself with us and prolonged it which he never did in the prayer before. But we did not hear his voice. He then did similarly in the second rak'ah. The sun became bright when he sat after the second rak'ah. Then he uttered the salutation. He then stood up, praised Allah, and extolled Him, and testified that there was no god but Allah and testified that he was His servant and apostle. Ahmad ibn Yunus then narrated the address of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Narrated by Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub:
Context
This hadith recounts an event where Samurah ibn Jundub and a companion observed a peculiar change in the sun's appearance, prompting them to rush to the mosque. Upon arriving, they found the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) leading the prayer, during which he prolonged the standing, bowing, and prostration. This incident illustrates the importance of prayer and the Prophet's attentiveness to the community's needs during unusual occurrences.
Modern Application
In contemporary life, this hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of attending prayers, especially during significant events. It encourages individuals to maintain their commitment to prayer and to seek spiritual guidance during times of uncertainty or change.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it demonstrates the Prophet's approach to prayer and his responsiveness to the community's spiritual needs.
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 when he saw the sun rising, he said, "This is my lord; this is greater." But when it set, he said, "O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah.
This hadith is #1185 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of The Book Of The Prayer For Rain (Kitab al-Istisqa'). It is graded Hasan and narrated by Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub:.
