Salaatul Istisqaa’ linguistically means “to request water.” In Islamic practice, when a community experiences drought or a critical need for rain, it is a highly recommended Sunnah to perform this prayer, following the guidance and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
More than two-thirds of UK is now officially in drought conditions with London amongst the areas affected. Many of us recently had an opportunity to perform Salaatul Kusoof (prayer for the solar eclipse) which is rarely done, and we now hope to perform another prayer that is rarely performed, especially in the United Kingdom.
There are various ways to seek rain, ranging from a simple personal supplication to a formal congregational prayer, as documented across multiple authentic narrations and explained through the main schools of thought.
Abbas bin Tameem narrated that his uncle (who was one of the companions of the Prophet) had told him, “The Prophet (ﷺ) went out with the people to invoke Allah for rain for them. He stood up and invoked Allah for rain, then faced the Qibla and turned his cloak (inside out) and it rained.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.135]
Ishaq ibn Abdullah ibn Kinanah reported: Al-Walid ibn Utbah or (according to the version of Uthman) al-Walid ibn Uqbah, the then governor of Medina, sent me to Ibn Abbas to ask him about the prayer for rain offered by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out wearing old clothes in a humble and lowly manner until he reached the place of prayer. He then ascended the pulpit, but he did not deliver the sermon as you deliver (usually). He remained engaged in making supplication, showing humbleness (to Allah) and uttering the takbeer (Allah is most great). He then offered two rak’ahs of prayer as done on the Eid (festival). [Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1163]
Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin narrated that the people complained to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) of the lack of rain, so he gave an order for a pulpit. It was then set up for him in the place of prayer. He fixed a day for the people on which they should come out. Aisha said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), when the rim of the sun appeared, sat down on the pulpit, and having pronounced the greatness of Allah and expressed His praise, he said: You have complained of drought in your homes, and of the delay in receiving rain at the beginning of its season. Allah has ordered you to supplicate Him has and promised that He will answer your prayer. Then he said: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Master of the Day of Judgment. There is no god but Allah Who does what He wishes. O Allah, You are Allah, there is no deity but You, the Rich, while we are the poor. Send down the rain upon us and make what You send down a strength and satisfaction for a time. He then raised his hands, and kept raising them till the whiteness under his armpits was visible. He then turned his back to the people and inverted or turned round his cloak while keeping his hands aloft. He then faced the people, descended and prayed two rak’ahs. Allah then produced a cloud, and the storm of thunder and lightning came on. Then the rain fell by Allah’s permission, and before he reached his mosque streams were flowing. When he saw the speed with which the people were seeking shelter, he (ﷺ) laughed till his back teeth were visible. Then he said: I testify that Allah is Omnipotent and that I am Allah’s servant and Messenger. [Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1169]
It is recommended for the imam to make supplications for three days and recommended that people fast for three days and go to the place of prayer on the fourth day. Some of the scholars suggested that the day of the prayer be Monday or Thursday, because they are the days of fasting.
There is no adhaan or iqaama for the prayer, but a general announcement can be made “Asalaatul jamee’ah” similar to that of Salaat ul Kusoof.
Although the prayer is best done in an open field, we will be performing the Salaah in the masjid on this occasion.
All people, male and female, young and old attend the prayer. Non-Muslims can also attend and stay by the side when the prayer is being performed. The people should attend wearing used old worn clothes as opposed to new clothes they would wear for Eids, and this is to show they are needy. They should, in addition to fasting, keep away from sin and give charity as all of these things cause the du’a to be accepted.
The imam leads the congregation in two rak’at. This can be like the Jumu’ah prayer or like the Eid prayers.
After the prayer the imam, gives a Khutbah, faces the Qibla, as do the people, and he supplicates to Allah.
The imam makes lots of supplication and seeking forgiveness with his hands raised high.
At some point, he turns his cloak inside out, as is narrated in about the example of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and it is also permitted for the congregation to do the same
Abdullah bin Zaid narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) went towards the Musalla and invoked Allah for rain. He faced the Qibla and wore his cloak inside out, and offered two rak’at. [Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1012]
This action was continued by the companions and repeated during the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. When he performed it in the year of the ashes (17H), he was reported to have worn the prophet (ﷺ) cloak and asked the prophets uncle Abbas to make du’a too.
Narrated Anas: Whenever drought threatened them, `Umar bin Al-Khattab, used to ask Al-Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib to invoke Allah for rain. He used to say, “O Allah! We used to ask our Prophet (ﷺ) to invoke You for rain, and You would bless us with rain, and now we ask his uncle to invoke You for rain. O Allah! Bless us with rain.” And so it would rain. [Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith, 1010]