AL-SH Ā FI’ Ī ’S PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE ECLIPSE PRAYER AT FORBIDDEN TIMES FOR PRAYING

The eclipse prayer, considered Sunnah Muakkad , presents different points of view among the ulama. Most jurists believe these prayers are prohibited during haram times ( ta ḥ r ī m ) because the ḥ ad ī th applies to all prayers. It is different from al-Sh ā fi' ī who allows eclipse prayers at any time, even during ta ḥ r ī m . Since most Indonesian people adhere to the al-Sh ā fi' ī school of thought, understanding the basis of its ijtih ā d is essential. With a qualitative method, this literature article uses a descriptive-analytical method, with the primary source being the book al-Umm . This article produces two main findings. First, al-Sh ā fi' ī justifies the eclipse prayer during ta ḥ r ī m because of the general nature of the ḥ ad ī th restrictions and the particular reason for the eclipse prayer. Second, the legal reasoning uses qiy ā s , aligning missed prayers with valid reasons at ta ḥ r ī m times.


A. Introduction
The events of solar and lunar eclipses have been common to mankind since time immemorial.In line with the intellectual and scientific development of humans, responses to the occurrence of eclipses also vary.In ancient times, intellectual limitations, science, and in line with primitive human beliefs, every natural phenomenon is always associated with supernatural powers, myths, and religious beliefs.The myths emerged in ancient times and still believed in them today.As believed by some groups of Arabs when there was a solar eclipse at the time of the Prophet Muhammad caused by the death or birth of a person.
Nor is it because there are giants who eat the sun or the moon as ancient Javanese believed. 1wever, these various beliefs and myths are the initial attempts of mankind to understand what is happening in this universe.Although it seems strange today, all of that happened at the beginning of the scientific understanding of eclipses as a refutation of the myths to these old beliefs.Along with the changes of the development of the times, various ancient beliefs gradually disappeared because of the level of human knowledge that was high and more advanced. 2The phenomenon of eclipses, both the sun and the moon becoming natural phenomena, is the center of attention for humans.It went on since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the eclipses transpired from conversations among the companions.Eclipse is a sign of the great power of Allah. 3 Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy, Vol. 5, No. 2, Year 2023 "We were with Allah's Messenger ‫)ﷺ(‬ when the sun eclipsed.Allah's Messenger ‫)ﷺ(‬ stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque.He led us in a two-rak`at prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared.Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) 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."4 In the case of the solar eclipse, fuqahā' agreed it's the sunnah that's carried out in the congregation.However, there are also some different things between ulama.Those are problems in prayer times, how to read long and short readings in prayer, sermons when there is an eclipse, and the adzan in the eclipse prayer.Each ulama in this matter is guided by the stance obtained from the previous ulama before. 5e Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad has shown that he often prays during a solar eclipse and moon eclipse.When there was a solar eclipse, he went to the mosque rushed and frightened while pulling her shawl.A solar eclipse was occurring in the morning when the Sun was two or three spears from the place of their rise at that time, then he went forward and performed prayers. 6Ulama agreed that the eclipse prayer is the Sunnah of Muakkad for every Muslim.As for regarding the eclipse prayer time starting from the beginning of the eclipse until the eclipse is over.All schools agree that time the eclipse prayer starts from the time the eclipse appears as narrated in the ḥadīth of the Prophet Muhammad: Narrated `Aisha: In the lifetime of Allah's Messenger ‫)ﷺ(‬ (p.b.u.h) the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy, Vol. 5, No. 2, Year 2023 long while.He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first.He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration.He did the same in the second rak`a as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared.He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, "The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone.So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa."The Prophet then said, "O followers of Muhammad!By Allah!There is none who has more ghaira (selfrespect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse).O followers of Muhammad!By Allah!If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much. 7en an eclipse occurs, a rare phenomenon that only occurs with Allah's, we are as a Muslims, we have to perform eclipse prayers (both solar and lunar), prayers more, and sadaqah as well.As explained by the Prophet Muhammad as follows: The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e.birth) of someone but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah.When you see them offer the prayer." This ḥadīth caused various fiqh opinions.Ibn Hajar explained in his book that ulama have agreed on the stipulation of the eclipse prayer, but they're different on several matters regarding the eclipse prayer.One of the things that scholars dispute about the eclipse prayer is the timing of its implementation.This thing is related to whether or not it is permissible to perform the eclipse prayer when it occurs at forbidden times.
There are five forbidden times for praying (taḥrim times) unless there is a specific reason.It's the difference from the other madhhāb, those are: 1.
After the Fajr prayer until the sun rises.

2.
The sun rising to it's perfection and size of spear.

3.
The istiwa' time until the sun moves from the middle of the sky.

5.
The sun going down to it's perfection. 8 If the eclipse prayer time occurs the prohibited time for carrying out sunnah prayers, then the prayer does not need to be carried out, it is only enough to pray, according to the perspective of Abū Ḥanīfah and Aḥmad Ibn Hanbāl.It's as according to Abū Ḥanīfah's perspective that there are five forbidden times for praying.Those times are makruh tahrim to perform all kinds of praying. 9Then, it's same as in Aḥmad Ibn Hanbāl's perspective, that there are five forbidden times for praying.But at that times, performing qaḍa prayer is permissable.That's different with the perspective of Mālik, In his perspective there are only three forbidden times for praying (When the istiwa' time, after fajr prayer and also after ashar prayer).Sunnah prayer is forbidden to perform at that times, but performing farḍu prayer and qaḍa prayer are permissable. 10 While according to Al-Shāfi'ī, when it is believed that the eclipse time has arrived, it is sunnah to perform this prayer even though it occurs at a prohibited time because this prayer is a prayer performed for a specific reason.According to Mālik's thought, the time of the eclipse prayer is from the return of the permissibility of the sunnah prayer, it is when the sun rises until the sun rises as high as a spear, and ended just as the sun was about to slip.If the eclipse occurs before or after that time, the solar eclipse prayer does not need to be performed. 11 The explanation about the law of doing eclipse prayer at a forbidden time for praying is explained in al-Umm.Besides that, His legal basis and arguments about this matter were also discussed.He said:

‫أو‬ ‫عنها‬ ‫فيشتغل‬ ‫يلزمها‬ ‫بأن‬ ‫نفسه‬ ‫على‬ ‫المرء‬ ‫يؤكدها‬ ‫الصالة‬ ‫وال‬ ‫للطواف‬ ‫الصالة‬ ‫وال‬ ‫الجنازة‬ ‫على‬ ‫ينساها‬
"When a solar eclipse occurs in the middle of the day, either after Ashar or before, the Imām praying to perform the eclipse prayer with a crowd of people because the Prophet Muhammad ordered the prayer because of the eclipse.There is no forbidden time for the prayer that was commanded by the Prophet Muhammad, as it is not forbidden to perform the missed prayer, the funeral prayer, the Tawaf prayer, and the prayer that a person usually performs with a high commitment then he is busy or forgets so he leaves the prayer". 12reover, the majority of Indonesian population embraces Islam which the adherents of the mazhab are very diverse.Among Nahḍiyyīn, guided by the four Imām (Al-Imām Al-Arba'aḥ), those are Abū Ḥanīfah, Mālik, al-Shāfi'ī, and Aḥmad Ibn Hanbāl.Of the four Imāms, the majority of them use Al-Shāfi'ī as their ḥujjah.Based on the description above, the research about the basis and flow of al-Shāfi'ī's ijtihād is important to be discussed.It's for finding out how he came to have such an opinion.Moreover, the majority of Indonesia's Muslim population uses al-Shāfi'ī as their ḥujjah in daily worship.Therefore, this study needs to be explored further.

B. Method
This paper uses a qualitative descriptive research that data in the form of written or spoken words from people and observed behaviors, opinions. 13This is library research with the documentation method.Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy, Vol. 5, No. 2, Year 2023 make up for it.Each eclipse prayer is performed two raka'at. 15Apart from solar eclipses and lunar eclipses, this kind of prayer is not performed for others even those are the signs of Allah's power. 16Even though the eclipse prayer is a sunnah prayer, it is a maḥḍah worship, a form of pure self-servitude to Allah SWT.In this worship, humans show and prove their creation to the creator who has power over all creatures.As a mahdah worship, prayer is Regarding the timing of the eclipse prayer at forbidden times for praying, the fuqahā' have different opinions.According to Abū Ḥanifah and Ibn Hanbal, it is only enough to pray and the eclipse prayer does not need to be carried out if it occurs at forbidden times. 17 according to Mālik, the eclipse prayer is only performed at times that are not forbidden to perform the nafilah prayer.Meanwhile, Ibn Qasim narrated the opinion of Mālik that the provisions of the time for the solar eclipse prayer are at the time of Ḍūhā to Ẓuhr. 18It's in contrast with al-Shāfi'ī's thought that the eclipse prayer was at any time, even if in the forbidden times for praying. 19garding the times of the eclipse prayer, al-Shāfi'ī's perspective that the eclipse prayer was at any time, even if in the forbidden times.Regarding the lunar eclipse, the fuqahā' were in a different opinion too.Al-Shāfi'ī considered that the implementation of the lunar eclipse prayer was like the solar eclipse prayer.Al-Shāfi'ī said: When the eclipse of the sun occurs in the middle of the day, either after Asr or before, Imām may perform the Kusūf prayer with the crowd people because the Prophet Muhammad ordered this prayer cause there was a solar eclipse.There is no forbidden time for the prayer was ordered by the Prophet Muhammad, just like as it is not forbidden to perform the missed prayer, the funeral prayer, the Tawaf prayer, and the prayer that usually performed by a person with high commitment and then he is busy or forgets, then he leaves the prayer. 21sed on the explanation on his book, Al-Umm, the cause of al-Shāfi'ī's difference of opinion is because of his response to the verses of Allah in Qur'an Sūrah Fuṣṣilat/41:37 and al-Baqarah 2/164.In addition to using the Qur'an as a way to determine the law, al-Shāfi'ī regarding the order to pray eclipse also used the ḥadīth narrated from 'Abdullāh Ibn 'Abbās and 'Ā'isha.The ḥadīth contains an explanation of the lunar and solar eclipse prayers.The scholars agreed that the eclipse prayer is sunnah, and it is sunnah to perform it in congregation according to the number of scholars, Mālik, Al-Shāfi'ī, and Ibn Hanbal.
The Messenger of Allah warned them that the eclipses of the sun and moon were some of the signs of Allah's power.They suspect the solar eclipse was caused by the death of Ibraham.Then the Messenger of Allah shows their misunderstanding about it.He said, "Indeed, both of them do not experience an eclipse because of someone's death or life, but they are both signs of Allah's power to His servants.With this eclipse, Allah frightens His servants.With the eclipse, they are encouraged to return to Allah and be humble.Ask Allah to be freed from what they are going through".
Along with what has been mentioned in the verses of the Qur'an and in the ḥadīth, then al-Shāfi'ī emphasized the verse of the Koran which confirms that the sun and moon are signs of Allah's greatness.In this verse, Allah commands us not to worship the sun and moon, but only to bow down to Him.This command contains wisdom, which shows that when an event such as a solar or lunar eclipse occurs, we are required to pray as a form of obedience and devotion to Allah.The Prophet also taught that prayers during an eclipse must be performed only for the sake of Allah.This has two meanings: first, there is no difference between praying during a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse; secondly, we are obliged to perform prayers during the eclipse according to Allah's commands.All of this reflects Allah's warning to perform prayer as a sign of obedience, devotion, and as a source of happiness for those who perform it.According to al-Shāfi'ī's perspective above, there are five forbidden times for praying unless there is a specific reason.It's the difference here.The five forbidden times for praying are: 1.
After the Fajr prayer until the sun rises.

2.
When the sun rises to perfection and rises to the size of a spear.

3.
When the istiwa' time until the sun moves from the middle of the sky, except for Friday when it is not makruh to pray at that time, as well as in the forbidden land of Mecca, either in the mosque or otherwise, then it is not makruh at that time, whether praying sunnah ṭawaf or another from that.

5.
When the sun goes down to perfection. 25's as according to Abū Ḥanīfah's perspective that there are five forbidden times for praying.Those times are makrūh taḥrīm to perform all kinds of praying. 26Then, it's same as in Ibn Hanbāl's perspective, that there are five forbidden times for praying.But at that times, performing qaḍā' prayer is permissable.This explanation is different with the perspective of Mālik.In Mālik's perspective, there are only three forbidden times for praying (when the istiwā' time, after fajr prayer and also after ashar prayer).Sunnah prayer is forbidden to perform at that times, but performing farḍ prayer and qaḍā' prayer are permissable. 27So, the difference of al-Shāfi'ī's perspective about the permissable of the eclipse prayer at forbidden times for praying above from the other Imām Madhhab is because it has a specific reason.The ḥadīths that explain the prohibition of praying at the Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy, Vol. 5, No. 2, Year 2023 In terms of whether or not the 'illah is mentioned in al-aṣl, this qiyās includes qiyās al-ma'nā (which is not clearly stated in the texts but it can be understood clearly that there is something according to legal logic that it is the 'illah of the law).
This analogy is same with the explanation of al-Shāfi'ī in his book, al-Umm: ‫الفائتة‬ ‫الصالة‬ ‫وقت‬ ‫فى‬ ‫يحرم‬ ‫ال‬ ‫كما‬ ‫سلم‬ ‫و‬ ‫عليه‬ ‫الله‬ ‫صلى‬ ‫الله‬ ‫سول‬ ‫ر‬ ‫أمربها‬ ‫صالة‬ ‫فيه‬ ‫يحرم‬ ‫وقت‬ ‫فال‬ ‫الصال‬ ‫وال‬ ‫للطواف‬ ‫الصالة‬ ‫وال‬ ‫الجنازة‬ ‫على‬ ‫الصالة‬ ‫وال‬ ‫فيشتغل‬ ‫يلزمها‬ ‫بأن‬ ‫نفسه‬ ‫على‬ ‫المرء‬ ‫يؤكدها‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ينساها‬ ‫أو‬ ‫عنها‬ There is no forbidden time for the prayer was ordered by the Prophet Muhammad, just like as it is not forbidden to perform the missed prayer, the funeral prayer, the Ṭawaf prayer, and the prayer that usually performed by a person with high commitment and then he is busy or forgets, then he leaves the prayer. 34om the perspective of al-Shāfi'ī about the eclipse prayer at forbidden times for praying above, the missed prayer is the first prayer mentioned before others.Al-Shāfi'ī equalize the performing of the eclipse prayer at forbidden times for praying with the another sunnah prayer that's missed by the people then it's performed at forbidden times for praying.That's why the author takes the sunnah prayer that's missed by the people as the qiyās for the eclipse prayer at forbidden times for praying.
Al-Shāfi'ī allowed the eclipse prayer worship at forbidden times because the eclipse prayer is worship with a specific cause. 35What is forbidden to do at forbidden times is only sunnah prayers without any particular reason.Such as funeral prayers and eclipse prayers, which are performed at that time (forbidden) are permissible. 36The prayet of the two raka'ah is also permissible even after Asr. 37 It's just like what's in Al-Shirazi's opinion, it is not forbidden to pray for reasons at these times.For example, the eclipse prayer, istisqa' prayer, and funeral prayers.Because relationship and legal purposes.In this case, the purpose of the law is clear, the benefit of the mukallāf in the world and in the hereafter, which is to give birth to benefits and avoid the harm.Munḍābiṭah, i.e. 'illah must be something that can be measured and has clear boundaries.Mulā'im wa munāsib, 'illah must have the appropriateness and have a proper relationship between the law and the nature is seen as illah.Muta'addiyah, the nature found not only in events that have legal texts but also in other events for which the law is to be determined.Every work that's lawful by Allah, or gived permission to do it, or removes the difficulty, pressure, deficienty, sin from that work, then (the work) is permissible and permitted by shari'ah. 41, I agrees with al-Shāfi'ī's perspective about this discussion.The eclipse prayers are permissible at forbidden times.Because by allowing the eclipse prayers at all times, humans can have a longer time to pray and get closer to Allah.Thus, this eclipse prayer can divert attention, and the feeling of fear that humans feel becomes the foundation of hope for getting protection from Allah.In addition, this can also prevent humans from misguided and unreasonable thoughts and superstitions in facing the natural events that rarely occur. 42art from that, the wisdom and lessons that we can learn from the eclipse event include: 1.
An eclipse is a natural event that shows the submission of nature to its Creator.
So, we should also show obedience to Allah by performing eclipse prayers.

2.
We can see and observe the reactions of the animals during the eclipse.

4.
We can take advantage of this eclipse moment, for children's education.They can learn science about eclipse, a natural phenomenon that challenges human intellectuals who thinks about it.

5.
An eclipse prayer is a form of asking forgiveness and help from Allah. 44om the analyzing explanation above, the legal istimbāṭ used by al-Shāfi'ī in his perspective about the eclipse prayer at forbidden times for praying here is based on the qiyās with the misssed prayer that's performed at forbidden times for praying, because there's the same 'illah and it's qualifying all the requirements of qiyās.

D. Conclusion
The difference between Al-Shāfi'ī's view on the permissibility of eclipse prayers at times prohibited for prayer above with other Imām Madzhab is that according to him, eclipse prayers are prayers performed for specific reasons.According to his perspective, the very bound and it's only done based on the full of imitating (ittibā') to what had been exemplified and arranged by the Messenger of Allah.Thus, reducing or exceeding what had been exemplified and regulated by the Messenger of Allah.