CIRCULAR NO: JMT/052/20 June 05, 2020
Shawwal 13, 1441
Jamaats in Africa are informed that there will be a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on Friday 5th June 2020 (13th Shawwal 1441 AH).
Since this will be a penumbral eclipse, it can be hard to see, as the Moon will only be a bit fainter. The Moon is above the horizon during this eclipse, so with good weather conditions in Dar es Salaam, the entire eclipse will be visible.
Below is the question sent to our Marja, Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Hussaini al Sistani and his response to the query as found on his website:
السؤال : يقول الفلكيون انه سوف يحصل خسوف للقمر ولكنه ليس بانمحاء نور القمر عن بعضه او كله بل لما كان سيمر بمخروط شبه ظل الارض يصبح نوره باهتاً بعض الشيء فهل يوجب هذا النوع من الخسوف صلاة الآيات؟
الجواب : اذا حصل هذا فلا تجب صلاة الآيات، وانما تجب اذا اختفى نور بعض قرص القمر او كله.
Question: Astronomers say that there will be an eclipse of the moon, but it is not because the glow of the Moon will be covered partially or fully, rather it is when a cone resembling the shadow of the earth will pass over it, and its light becomes somewhat dull. (Penumbral eclipse). So does this type of eclipse make the Salaat of Ayaat obligatory?
Answer: If this happens, then the Salaat of Ayaat is not obligatory. It is only obligatory if the light of some or all of the disk of the Moon is covered.
Secretariat