اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْحَيَاةِ وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
O Allah, we seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the punishment of the Fire, and from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the Masih ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).
Allahumma inna na'udhu bika min 'adhab al-qabr, wa min 'adhab an-nar, wa min fitnat al-hayaati wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnat al-Masihi ad-Dajjal.
When to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that during a solar or lunar eclipse, Muslims should turn to prayer and remembrance of Allah. The prayer, Salat al-Kusuf, is a congregational prayer performed when an eclipse occurs. While the primary act is the prayer itself, which includes extensive recitation and supplication, specific duas like the one above, seeking refuge from various evils, are also fitting during such times of awe and reflection. The eclipse is a sign from Allah, and it's a period to remember His might and seek His protection.
How to Read
Salat al-Kusuf is a two-rak'ah prayer with two ruku's in each rak'ah. The Imam recites verses from the Quran aloud. After the prayer, the Imam often delivers a sermon reminding people of Allah's power and advising them to make dua, seek forgiveness, and give charity. The dua mentioned above is a general supplication to be made during times of seeking refuge, and is appropriate to recite in this context, either during the prayer or afterwards.
Virtues & Benefits
The eclipse serves as a powerful reminder of Allah's greatness and a potential sign of the Day of Judgment. Engaging in Salat al-Kusuf and making sincere duas during this time is a way to seek Allah's protection from His punishment, both in this life and the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned that these signs are reminders for the believers to turn back to their Lord.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Bakra: The sun eclipsed while we were with the Prophet ﷺ. He got up to pray, and stood for a long time, longer than I thought he would stand. Then he bowed for a long time, and then stood up and stood for a long time, longer than the first standing. Then he bowed again for a long time, longer than the first bowing. Then he prostrated, and then stood up and prayed (another rak'a like the first). He did all that in two rak'ahs. When he finished, the sun had cleared. Then he said, 'The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of anyone, nor because of the life of anyone. Rather, they are two signs among the signs of Allah. When you see them, you should pray and supplicate to Allah.' Sahih al-Bukhari 1377.