Jakarta, NOW Online
A total lunar eclipse will occur on Tuesday (3/3/2026) evening after Maghrib local time. This total lunar eclipse event will be visible from all regions of Indonesia. Therefore, Muslim communities in Indonesia are encouraged to perform the lunar eclipse prayer (khusuf al-qamar).
Ustadz Alhafiz Kurniawan explained that lunar eclipse prayers are highly recommended, especially in congregation. This is what he quoted from the book Nihayatuz Zain in his article entitled Procedures for Lunar Eclipse Prayers Of NOW Online which was quoted on Tuesday (3/3/2026).
Eclipse prayers have a slight difference from regular prayers. This is because the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and bowing in the eclipse prayer are done twice in each rak’ah. This means, after the first bowing, stand up again to read Surah Al-Fatihah and other verses. Then, bow down again and continue with i’tidal.
This prayer can be done in congregation with reading aloud (State) or done independently (munfarid).
The eclipse prayer must begin with the following intention:
I pray two rak’ahs during the lunar eclipse as an imam/follower to God Almighty
The Sunnah of the Sunnah Rak’ataini Imam/Makmûman Lillahi Ta’âlâ
This means, “I pray the sunnah prayer for the lunar eclipse two rak’ahs as an imam/mammum because of Allah SWT.”
The orderly order of sunnah prayers for a lunar eclipse is as follows:
- The intention in the heart when takbiratul ihram as above.
- Saying takbir when takbiratul ihram while intending in the heart.
- Read taawudz and Surat Al-Fatihah. After that read Surat Al-Baqarah or as long as that surah or a short surah is read out loud.
- Rukuk by reading tasbih for a duration of preferably reading 100 verses of Surah Al-Baqarah.
- I’tidal, not reading the i’tidal prayer, but reading Surah Al-Fatihah again. After that, it is recommended to read Ali Imran’s letter or during the letter.
- Bowing by reciting the rosary is recommended while reciting the 80 verses of Surat Al-Baqarah.
- Itidal. Read the i’tidal prayer.
- Prostrate by reciting the tasbih during the first bow.
- Sitting between two prostrations
- The second prostration by reciting the tasbih during the second bow.
- Sit to rest or sit for a moment before getting up to do the second rak’ah.
- Get up from sitting, then do the second rak’ah with the same movements as the first rak’ah. The only difference is, in the second rak’ah in the first standing it is recommended to read Surah An-Nisa, while in the second standing it is recommended to read Surah Al-Maidah.
- Salam.
- The imam or a person who is authorized to deliver two eclipse prayer sermons with taushiyah for the congregation to ask for forgiveness, increase piety to God, repentance, charity, emancipation of slaves (defense against marginalized community groups), and so on.
The timing of the total lunar eclipse phase on Tuesday (3/3/2026) evening based on LF PBNU data is as follows.
- Beginning of the partial eclipse phase = 16:50:01 WIB
- Beginning of the total eclipse phase = 18:04:28 WIB
- Peak of the eclipse = 18:33:37 WIB
- End of total eclipse phase = 19:02:24 WIB
- End of partial eclipse phase = 20:17:13 WIB
