Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba: “The sun eclipsed in the life time of Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) on the day when (his son) Ibrahim died. So the people said that the sun had eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim. Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of someone. When you see the eclipse pray and invoke Allah.’”
At the time of a solar or lunar eclipse, there is a recommended prayer (salatul-kusuf) that is performed by the Muslim community in congregation.
On March 29 a total solar eclipse will be visible from Europe, Africa and Asia. In countries such as Egypt, Turkey and Libya the moon will completely obscure the sun and cause almost total darkness for a few minutes. The path of the Moon’s umbral shadow will begin in Brazil and extend across the Atlantic, northern Africa and Central Asia where it will end at sunset in western Mongolia. A partial eclipse will be seen within the much broader path of the Moon’s penumbral shadow, which includes the northern two-thirds of Africa, Europe and Central Asia.
The duration of the eclipse will be the longest over the Sahara in Libya. It is thought the clear skies anticipated on that day will allow a magnificent show for the thousands of astronomy enthusiasts who will be traveling to that location. The entire Middle East will experience either the total or partial solar eclipse. For Saudi Arabia, the partial eclipse will move eastward across the Kingdom starting at approximately 9:30 UT — or 12:30 in the afternoon.
Many websites are offering information on the event. At http://solar-eclipse-2006.info see a global animation of the eclipse and take tips on viewing and photographing the event. At http://www.eclipse.org.uk/eclipse/0212006/ check local circumstances and animations of the eclipse. Then on March 29 click to http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/2006/index.html, where a team will be transmitting a live webcast as well as a telescope-only feed of the moment of totality, from a Roman amphitheater in Side, Turkey.