Special Prayers
Salat al-Ayat
Salat al-Ayat is a two-rak’ah prayer with five ruku in each rak’ah, performed at the time of a solar or lunar eclipse, an earthquake, or similar events.
What does “Ayat” mean?
- Solar eclipse.
- Lunar eclipse — even if only partial, and even if it does not create fear among people.
- Earthquake — even if it does not create fear for anyone.
- Thunder, lightning, red and black winds or storms, and the like that create fear among most people.
Who has to perform it?
The person who lives in the country where it occurs.
Anyone who knew about the eclipse and did not perform the prayer must perform it as Qadaa (make-up). If it was a total eclipse and the person did not know until it finished, they must perform it as Qadaa.
Time limit
Eclipses: must be performed during the eclipse, before it ends.
Earthquake: directly after it occurs. If delayed for some reason, it must still be performed afterwards and cannot be left out.
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Begin
1
Prayer Intention · Niyyah
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Note: Face the Qibla and make your intention (Niyyah) to perform Salat al-Ayat, seeking nearness to God.
2
Starting Prayer · Takbirat al-’Ihram
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While standing upright facing the Qibla, lift both hands up to your ears.
“ALLAHU AKBAR”(Allah is greater than what He is described as)
Rakaat 1 · Five Ruku
3
First Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
4
Second Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
5
Third Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
6
Fourth Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
7
Fifth Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
8
Two Prostrations · Sujood
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Perform two prostrations (Sujood) as you would in a normal obligatory prayer — prostrate, sit up, then prostrate again.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(in each prostration, 3 times)
Rakaat 2 · Five Ruku
Stand erect and perform the second (final) rak’ah exactly as the first.
9
First Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
10
Second Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
11
Third Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
12
Fourth Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
13
Fifth Ruku · Recite & bow
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Recite Surah al-Hamd (Al-Fatiha) and another complete surah, then perform Ruku.
Bend into Ruku, keeping both hands on your legs just above your knees.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(3 times)
14
Two Prostrations · Sujood
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Perform two prostrations (Sujood) as you would in a normal obligatory prayer — prostrate, sit up, then prostrate again.
“SUBHAN ALLAH”(in each prostration, 3 times)
15
Tashahud & Taslim — End Prayer · Julus
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Note: While seated, recite the Tashahud and then the Taslim, as in a normal obligatory prayer. Salat al-Ayat is complete after the Tashahud and Taslim.