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.
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.
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:
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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