Dear Mumineen,
Salamun alaykum,
A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur globally tomorrow, Monday 30th November, 2020. Its path covers much of Europe, much of Asia, Australia, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic.In Portsmouth, UK, it will occur from 7:32 a.m. – 11:53 a.m.
During the penumbral lunar eclipse the Earth's main shadow does not cover the Moon. Unlike the Total or Partial lunar eclipse where the entire or part of the Moon becomes darkened and disappears, in a penumbral lunar eclipse part of the full moon becomes dim; only a little bit fainter than the rest of the Moon. A very mild shadow spreads over part of the disc of the Moon. Thus, the Moon remains as bright as a full Moon as the rest of the Moon receives the same amount of sunlight as usual. Since this is a penumbral eclipse, it can be hard to see, as the Moon will only be a bit fainter. Because of this, it is often hard to differentiate between a normal full Moon and a penumbral eclipse of the Moon.
In this instant of the penumbral eclipse the moon, at commencement, will be very low, closer to the horizon and moving to set later going below the horizon. Thus apart from the initial 6 minutes duration, the moon will be below the horizon during the occurrence of the penumbral eclipse.
Therefore, is Salatul Ayat to be performed?
As per Marja Taqleed Ayatullah Al Udhama Seyyid Ali Seestani, Salatul Ayat does not become wajib (obligatory) in a penumbral lunar eclipse
Mumineen are informed that there is no obligation to recite Salatul Ayat in this instance.
Shukran
With salams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat