The Sun once was in eclipse in the
Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) time. The Sahabah left their jobs. Even the young
boys, practicing archery, hastened towards the musjid to know what the Prophet (Sallallaho
alaihe wasallam) would do at that time. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) started
Salaat of two rakaat, which were so long that some people fainted and fell down. He wept
in his Salaat and said:
"0, My Lord! Thou has said that Thou ouldst not punish them as long as I am with them and so long as they seek Thy forgiveness."
This refers to a verse in the Qur'an wherein Allah says:
"But Allah would not punish them while Thou art with them, nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness."
He then addressed the people saying:
"You should hasten for Salaat whenever you happen to find the Sun or the Moon in eclipse. If you happen to know the signs of the Last Day as I do, then surely you would weep more and laugh less. In all such happenings, repair to Salaat; pray to Allah and distribute alms to the poor."