Do you know what is solar eclipse ? Solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon blocks the Sun. When it happen, the sky will be dark and when it near the end, the sky will be brighter. Solar eclipse can be occur in anytime, no matter if it is night or morning. This time, it will be occur in some of regions in Indonesia, Such as Palembang, Belitung, Bangka, Balikpapan, Sampit, Palangkaraya, Luwuk, Palu, Poso, and Halmahera. This phenomenon brings opinions and reactions from some communities in indonesia. Common people and moslem have a different side of opinion about this phenomenon.
For common people, solar eclipse is an extraordinary phenomenon. They are ready to welcome this by their own way. Some of them might have prepared themself by preparing sunglasses and camera to capture this moment. Although this phenomenon only happen in Indonesia and some regions of Micronesia, it will not only be seen by Indonesian. Foreigners are also ready to watch this amazing phenomenon. These foreigners are not just some ordinary people, most of them are researchers, scientists, and reporters from all over the world. For example, in Balikpapan, there are 10 reporters from Japan, 11 reporters from China, and 13 Europeans researchers who are ready to monitor how the eclipse occurs this time. They are planning to do some researches. For example, proving Einstein's theory of relativity.
For moslem, solar eclipse is not only an amazing space phenomenon. It is a warning for them, means they need to get closer to The Creator, Allah swt. It is mentioned in hadith Bukhari which was narrated by Aisha.
“In the life-time of Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second Raka as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, "The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa." The Prophet then said, "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (self-respect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much.”
According to the hadith, Moslems are ready to welcome this big event by doing a prayer in congregation. The prayer is called as Sholat Kusuf, it is recommended to all of moslems. Besides Sholat Kusuf, there are more things moslem could do during the eclipse, such as say Takbir and give Sadaqa. From doing that, moslems are expecting forgiveness and hoping to get closer to The Creator.
The happening of solar eclipse this time cause various reactions from some communities in Indonesia. Some people think this phenomenon as an amazing space phenomenon that only happen once in a lifetime. But for some other people, this phenomenon is not only a phenomenon, it is a sign for them to get closer to The Creator, Allah swt.
References:
Ahwan. (2015). Daftar Kota di Indonesia yang Bisa Melihat Gerhana Matahari Total 2016. Retrieved March 07, 2016 from http://ahtechno.com/daftar-kota-di-indonesia-yang-bisa-melihat-gerhana-matahari-total-2016/3250/
Solar Eclipse. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 04, 2016 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse
Solar Eclipse of March 9, 2016 (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 07, 2016 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_March_9,_2016
The Hadith, (pp. Sahih Bukhari, Book 02, Volume 18, Hadith Number 154).
Wahono, Tri. (2016, January 18). 12 Provinsi Dilintasi Gerhana Matahari Total. Harian Kompas. Retrieved from http://sains.kompas.com/read/2016/01/18/07253531/12.Provinsi.Dilintasi.Gerhana.Matahari.Total
Woso, Rosalina. (2016, March 08). Turis Asing Serbu Balikpapan, Datang Melihat Gerhana Matahari Total. Retrieved from http://kupang.tribunnews.com/2016/03/08/turis-asing-serbu-balikpapan-datang-melihat-gerhana-matahari-total
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