As an Ahmadiyya Muslim, I joined fellow believers the world over in observing a special prayer yesterday called “Khusoof” as a rare phenomenon occurred in the heavens. A lunar eclipse took place. It also happened to be a “super blue blood moon” when the moon was closest to the earth, brightest, the second consecutive full moon of the month, and took on a reddish tint. So, what do eclipses mean for Muslims? In the words and immaculate practice of the Holy founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, Divine peace be upon him; “The sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Almighty Allah. They don’t eclipse due to the death or birth of someone. When an eclipse occurs invoke Allah, observe Prayer, and give alms.” (Bukhari).
They also remind us Muslims of the certainty of life after death as the Holy Quran awe-strikingly illustrates; “He inquires when will be the Day of Resurrection? When the eye is dazzled, And the moon eclipsed, And the sun and the moon are brought together, On that day man will say; ‘Wither to flee?’ Not at all; there is no refuge! With thy Lord alone will be the place of rest, comfort, and peace that day” (Chapter 75 “The Resurrection” verses 7-13).
Lunar and Solar eclipses would also be powerful signs signaling the coming of the awaited Messiah in the latter days. According to both Prophet Muhammad and Messiah Jesus’ prophecies, in those promised days, the moon and sun would both eclipse (Matt. 24:25) on certain days within the same month of Ramadan (Dar Qutni). This is exactly what happened, not once but twice, in 1894 and again in 1895 during the lifetime of the Holy founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (PBUH), testifying to his truth and corroborating his claim to being the true latter-day Imam Mahdi (Divine Guide) and Messiah sent by God. He describes the meaning of its fulfillment as “Signs which have been exhibited to warn those who follow Satan and have adopted the ways of injustice and transgression... If they persist in their denial, the time of the chastisement is near” (Tadhkirah pg. 325).
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Let’s seize opportunities to adopt and promote the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s motto “love for all, hatred for none” by understanding each other better as well as our unique, enriching practices.
Syeda Sana Shah and Chaplain Zahir Muhammad Mannan who serves as National AMYA Spokesman, Director of Outreach and Holy Quran Education and Devotion at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Baitul Aman "House of Peace" Mosque, 410 Main Street, Meriden, CT 06451
Hometown: Middletown, CT
Cell: 860-670-6402, Email: zahir.mannan@ahmadiyya.us, Endorse our common values in solidarity at www.TrueIslam.com, Twitter: @zahirmannan, Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MeetaMuslimChaplain/
