The description, rulings, and timing of the prayer for rain after the king's supplication
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, has issued a gracious call for the performance of the Istisqa' prayer (prayer for rain) throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Thursday, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, when rain is delayed. This call comes as part of the wise leadership's commitment to reviving religious practices and turning to God Almighty in times of ease and hardship.
The legal and historical context of the prayer for rain
The prayer for rain (Istisqa') is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It is a great Islamic ritual in which worshippers turn to their Lord during times of drought and lack of rain, demonstrating their need for Him and humbling themselves before Him to ask for rain. It is established in authentic hadiths that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out to the prayer area and prayed for rain, turning his cloak inside out, which confirms the importance of this ritual in Islamic history as a means of seeking mercy and blessings from God.
The description of the prayer for rain and how to perform it
The prayer for rain (Istisqa') is very similar to the Eid prayer, as it consists of two rak'ahs performed aloud in congregation. The following is a detailed explanation of how to perform it:
- The first rak’ah: The imam says the opening takbir, then follows it with six or seven takbirs, then he recites Surah Al-Fatihah and whatever is easy from the Holy Qur’an (it is recommended to recite Surah Al-A’la or Al-Ghashiyah).
- The second rak’ah: The imam stands for the second rak’ah and says five takbirs other than the takbirat of transition, then he recites Al-Fatihah and whatever else is easy for him.
- After the prayer: The imam gives one sermon to the people (or two sermons according to some scholars) in which he admonishes them and urges them to repent and seek forgiveness.
Sunnahs and etiquette of seeking rain: Turning one's cloak around and supplicating
One of the forgotten Sunnahs revived in this prayer is the "turning of the cloak." During the sermon, the imam and the worshippers face the qibla and turn their cloaks (or their equivalents, such as the shemagh or bisht) so that the right side goes to the left and the left to the right. Scholars have explained that the wisdom behind this is to express optimism for a change of circumstances from drought to abundance, and from hardship to prosperity.
It is recommended to frequently recite the following supplication: “O God, grant us rain, O God, grant us rain, O God, give us abundant, beneficial, wholesome, plentiful, and generous rain,” while raising one’s hands and exaggerating in this, following the example of the noble Prophet.
Special provisions for women and travelers
The prayer for rain is not limited to resident men only, but its rulings include other categories:
- Women: It is permissible for women to go out to perform the prayer, while adhering to modesty and not wearing makeup or perfume, and their rows should be behind the men, and the further back their rows are, the better.
- Travelers and Bedouins: It is permissible for them to perform it if they need rain. And whoever misses the prayer with the congregation can pray it individually, two rak'ahs, and supplicate to God as he pleases.
Spiritual and social importance
The importance of this ritual lies in strengthening the spiritual bond between the worshipper and his Lord, and reminding society that sustenance is in God's hands alone. It is also an opportunity for self-reflection, repentance for sins, and redressing grievances, as seeking forgiveness is considered one of the most important keys to the descent of rain, in accordance with God's words: {So I said, "Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever Forgiving. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers."}.
