Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Lunar News Flash


 Lunar Eclipse of Dec 21st 2010

 Muharram 15th 1432


This Lunar Eclipse was a unique event in more than one ways



  1. A sign from Allah
  2. Occurred on the Winter Solstice (shortest day of the year)
  3. The last time it occurred on Winter Solstice was 1638 and the next will be in 2094
  4. Best seen in USA, Canada and Iceland: due to the Northern Hemisphere being tilted farther from the sun than at any other point during the year. As a result, the sun follows its lowest arc of the year across the sky. (National Geographic)
  5. Occurred on the first day of Winter



http://www.universetoday.com/81716/total-lunar-eclipse-december-21-2010/

The sun and moon are two of the signs of Allah. By means of lunar and solar eclipses, Allah reminds His slaves of the Day of Resurrection, the Day on which their light will disappear. Allah says:

فَإِذَا بَرِقَ ٱلۡبَصَرُ (٧)
 وَخَسَفَ ٱلۡقَمَرُ (٨)
وَجُمِعَ ٱلشَّمۡسُ وَٱلۡقَمَرُ (٩

 (interpretation of the meaning): 
7“So, when the sight shall be dazed.
8. And the moon will be eclipsed.
9. And the sun and moon will be joined together (by going one into the other or folded up or deprived of their light)”

[al-Qiyaamah 75:7-9] 


(courtesy:islam-qa.com)


Waking up at 2 am to watch it, was truly an opportunity to reflect upon the Majesty of Allah. It was chilly outside -8 C but Alhumdolillah it wasn't not one the very cold windy nights. The sky was clear and by Allah's grace Lil Muallim # 1  and I witnessed Allah's wonder, a very humbling moment  SUBHANALLAH!!




During the whole time we kept pooping outside for a few minutes and then back in again as, it was chilly outside -8 C. But Alhumdolillah it wasn't one the very cold windy nights. 

 This lead us to Reflect, Realise and do SHUKR....................


"The thought that millions of people in the world live in extremely difficult and unsuitable conditions while has blessed us with a strong roof over our heads, and heated homes, where we can just walk in and be warm and comfortable Alhumdolillah."





While we looked in awe we made lots of Istaghfar and supplications to Allah, Al Qadir. It took almost 40 minutes for the moon to be completely eclipsed. Lil Muallim # 1, who had insisted on staying up all ight to see the eclipse had been forced to go to sleep. At 2:45 a.m. he was understandably very sleepy went back to bed. I stayed up.... 


Our Pictures of the Lunar Eclipse of  December 21st 2010


I'm no photographer, but I tried to get some glimpses through our regular camera. These pictures do NOT do any justice to the real experience... Subhanallah! 


When we started looking we could see half the moon well lit and the other half in a dull copper glow....as time passed the whole moon seemed to be a dull copper orange.... My camera could not capture it (frankly I couldn't figure out the settings and didn't want to bother too much with that).......We watched and did our adhkar and supplications........Al praises are to Allah for enabling us to ......finally after almost 3 hours the sun started appearing again and the illumination as it grew was very bright  There were streaks of light spreading around the moon.....SUBHANALLAH...............






























Lunar Eclipse February 20th 2008 Video
(waiting for this years one to come up)






 Glory be to Allah, all praise to Allah, there is no God but Allah, all Power and Might belongs to Allah. the Most High the Great!



Lil Muallim # 1's Reflections

Lil Muallim # 1 while witnessing the eclipse...he went to sleep at total eclipse and did not see the moon appear again.........."So that means that during the eclipse you see the moon waning and waxing in one night" referring to the shapes of the moon during Lunar phases. (to better understand the phases of the moon see post on Muharram/Hijri Calendar/Lunar Phases)

more  reflections after they wake up Inshallah



Reflections and Lessons to be Learnt

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ ضِيَآءً۬ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ نُورً۬ا وَقَدَّرَهُ ۥ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعۡلَمُواْ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلۡحِسَابَ‌ۚ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٲلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡلَمُونَ (٥
"It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out for it stages, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allâh did not create this but in truth. He explains the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in detail for people who have knowledge. (Yunus:10:5)"


I am overwhelmed and there are no words to describe tonight's experience.... 


I am truly humbled



There is no limit to the thoughts that went through my mind tonight. The following is a list of topics I would like t o discuss and share with my Lil Muallims tomorrow Beidhnillah!

Attributes of Allah

He is The Creator: Al Khaliq...He who brings from non-being into being, creating all things in such a way that He determines their existence and the conditions and events they are to experience.
He is All Knowing: Al Aleem....He who has full knowledge of all things.
The Power of Allah: Al Qadir...He who is Able to do what He wills as He wills (Providence).
The Majestic: Al Mutakabbir...He who demonstrates His greatness in all things and in all ways.
He is All Aware: Al Khabir...He who has the knowledge of inner & most secret aspects of all things. 
 Al Majid, The Owner of All: Malikul Mulk...The King of the Kingdom.


Signs of Allah......Reflect upon the Ayahs and their meaning



Masnoon Supplications

The movement of the moon: The rising and setting of the moon
A Breath Taking Image
(courtesy:Chad Tretton)




What do we understand by all that we saw and learnt?........


Why Did Allah want us to see this?

What do we understand from this?

What do we do next?

Did this experience bring about any change in us? What? How? WHY?

Ahadith on Eclipse from Sahih Bukhari: 
IslamiCity or Search Truth

Eclipse Prayer: Salatul Kusoof



Eclipse and the Sunnah of Rasulullah 
Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam

"Praise be to Allaah.
"When the sun was eclipsed at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he commanded someone to call out “al-salaatu jaami’ah (prayer is about to begin)”, and he led the people in prayer. Then he addressed them and explained to them the reason for the eclipse, and declared their jaahili beliefs to be null and void. He explained to them what they should do, such as praying and making du’aa’ and giving in charity. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The sun and the moon are two of the signs of Allah; they do not become eclipsed for the death or life of anyone. If you see that then call upon Allah and magnify Him, and pray, and give in charity.” The Muslims did not know when an eclipse would happen, but when it did happen, they would hasten to do what Allah had prescribed, such as praying etc.

 (courtesy:islam-qa.com)

May Allah accept our Ibadah..........Ameen



Method for Salatul Kusoof


'A'isha reported that there was a solar eclipse during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (way peace be upon him) and he sent the announcer (to summon them) for congregational prayer. The people gathered together and he pronounced takbir and he observed four rak'ahs, in the form of two rak'ahs (i. e. he observed two qiyams and two ruku's in one rak'ah) and four prostrations.


Sahih Muslim: Book 004, Number 1969


Explanation


'A'isha reported that there was a solar eclipse in the time of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). He stood up to pray and prolonged his stand very much. He then bowed and prolonged very much his bowing. He then raised his head and prolonged his stand much, but it was less than the (duration) of the first stand. He then bowed and prolonged bowing much, but it was less than the duration of his first bowing. He then prostrated and then stood up and prolonged the stand, but it was less than the first stand. He then bowed and prolonged his bowing, but it was less than the first bowing. He then lifted his head and then stood up and prolonged his stand, but it was less than the first stand. He then bowed and prolonged bowing and it was less than the first bowing. He then prostrated himself; then he turned about, and the sun had become bright, and he addressed the people. He praised Allah and landed Him and said: The sun and the moon are two signs of Allah; they are not eclipsed on account of anyones death or on account of anyone's birth. So when you see them, glorify and supplicate Allah, observe prayer, give alms. O Ummah of Muhammad, none is more indignant than Allah When His servant or maid commits fornication. O people of Muhammad, by Allah, if you knew what I know, you would weep much and laugh little.


Sahih Muslim: Book 004, Number 1966




The Scientific Facts in the Lunar Eclipse of  December 21st 2010



Here's an actual news report on tonight lunar eclipse :) (worth a read for yourself and older kids)



Studying Eclipse

A simple way to answer "What is an Eclipse?" then do the Experiment. :)


Answering "How does Lunar Eclipse happen?" and more moon links for kids. :)




Will be adding our studies and Diagrams soon Inshallah








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