Everything seems to be going on normally. Then suddenly, it starts getting dark and cool. Wait a minute; it's not about to rain,' so what could be happening? A quick look at the sky shows a shadow (the moon) coming over the sun! What could this be?
Slowly, the moon covers the sun up; meanwhile, it is getting darker and darker. Finally, the sun is completely covered up and everywhere goes totally dark! Complete darkness in the daytime? How is that possible? What is it called? What is the cause of this?
There are so many questions that come to mind. Really, I'm not a scientist so I would not bother to find answers to one of the many unexplainable wonders of Allaah. The only answers I have are that what I have just described is called an eclipse of the sun and that only Allaah knows why it happens, after all He owns the heavens and the earth and can do whatever He wills with it. He says:
"To Allaah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills…" (42:49).
Some months ago, there was so much noise about expectations of an eclipse occurring on the 29th of March. It was said that the last time a full eclipse occurred was in the 1940s.
Finally, the D-day came. Many people travelled down to towns where the full eclipse was expected. Some others in areas where it was expected to be partial decided to stay and watch the wonders of Allaah. By Allaah's grace, it happened! Allaahu Akbar! At some time in the morning, everywhere became cool, the sun went down and those who were lucky to witness it saw the moon slowly shadow the sun and then, in the areas where it was a full eclipse, the day became night!
I was not able to watch it because I was writing an examination but I could not stop looking out of the window and wondering how anyone would witness such a great sign and still refuse to believe in Allaah the Lord of the Eclipse! People who saw the total eclipse said it was so dark that they had to switch on lights to see and cars had to put on their lights to be able to see ahead of them. Imagine all this happening during the day!
We are really lucky to have been among those who witnessed the eclipse. Even if you did not witness it, you must have watched it on the television or at least heard people discussing it. This is because you are alive. Do you know that some people who were born after the last eclipse had died before that of March? This is one of the reasons why we should be thankful to Allaah.
We were enjoined by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to observe naafil during the eclipse and also to supplicate and give charity. Praising Allaah during such periods shows that we bear witness to His signs and His greatness.
Allaah says:
"Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember AIlaah (always and in prayers) standing, sitting and lying down on their & laying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heaven sand the earth (saying): Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to you! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the fire." (Q3:190-191)