Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Salatul- Istisqua (Rain Seeking Prayer)

Drought is a natural calamity when it befalls causes undue  hardships and disaster to all living matter. 

It is for this reason, that the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam  made it a custom on the Ummah to resort to this prayer whenever affected by this calamity and seek the mercy and grace of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’alato shower on them His bounty of rain.

This prayer is performed similar to the I'd (feast) prayer in all respects. 

It may be performed anytime during the daylight except those times when the performance of voluntary prayers is prohibited. 

Muslim scholars are largely of the opinion that the best time for its performance is the same time for the performance of the I'd prayers i.e. after twenty (20) minutes from clear sunrise.

In the sermon at the end of the prayer, the Imam (leader) will exhort the congregation of the need to repent  and return to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala pointing out that the lack of rain is the result of the sins of mankind.

The Imam would thereafter raise hands in prayer and the congregation would do the same. 

While in this situation, the Imam and the congregation are required to invoke Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala as much as possible and call upon Him for forgiveness and to shower on them His bounties. 

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur'an:
"...ask for forgiveness from your Lord, for he is oft -forgiving, He will send rain to you in abundance." (Qur'an 71:10-11)


Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said:
 The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 
went out wearing modest clothes, walking humbly and beseeching Allaah, until he reached the prayer place, where he ascended the minbar, but he did not give a khutbah like this khutbah of yours; rather he continued to offer supplication (du‘aa’), beseech Allaah and recite takbeer, then he prayed two rak‘ahs as he used to pray at Eid.” [Abu Dawood (1165), at-Tirmidhi (558), an-Nasaa’i (1506) and Ibn Maajah (1266); hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood]

Note:
It is desirable at the head of the Muslim state or his representatives gives prior notice to the Muslim community of the need to perform Salatul-Istisqua at a certain future date. This is to enable as large a congregation as is possible to attend the prayer.

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