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 our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in seeking rain from God Almighty when rainfall is delayed. This call underscores the close bond between the leadership and the people in turning to God in times of ease and hardship.
The legal significance and historical context of the prayer for rain
The prayer for rain (Istisqa') is a confirmed Sunnah (recommended practice) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), performed by Muslims during times of drought and lack of rain, seeking rain and mercy from God Almighty. It is a ritual that reflects the worshippers' dependence on their Lord and their supplication to Him. Since its founding, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been committed to reviving this noble Sunnah periodically whenever the country and its people are in need of rain, thus strengthening faith and spirituality within the society.
The description of the prayer for rain and how to perform it
The prayer for rain (Istisqa') is similar to the Eid prayers in the number of rak'ahs and takbirs. It is performed as two rak'ahs aloud in congregation, and its description is as follows:
- The first rak’ah: The imam says the opening takbir, then follows it with seven takbirs, then he recites Surah Al-Fatihah and whatever is easy from the Holy Qur’an (and it is recommended to recite Surah Al-A’la).
- The second rak’ah: He stands for the second rak’ah saying “Allahu Akbar,” then he says five takbirs other than the takbirat of transition, and he recites Al-Fatihah and whatever else is easy (it is recommended to recite Surah Al-Ghashiyah), then he completes his prayer as usual and says the taslim.
The sermon for seeking rain and the recommended supplication
After the prayer, the imam delivers a sermon (or two sermons according to some scholars), frequently seeking forgiveness and reciting verses that encourage it. He also admonishes the people to abandon sins and redress grievances, as sins are among the reasons for the withholding of rain. It is a Sunnah for the imam and the worshippers to raise their hands in supplication and earnest prayer. Among the supplications narrated from the Prophet are: "O Allah, send us rain, O Allah, send us rain, O Allah, send us rain," and "O Allah, grant us abundant, wholesome, beneficial, and harmless rain.".
Year of the transformation of the robe
Among the confirmed Sunnahs in the prayer for rain is the "turning of the cloak," whereby the imam and the worshippers, during the sermon (while facing the qibla to supplicate), turn their cloaks (or their equivalents such as the bisht or shemagh) inside out, so that what is on the right becomes on the left and vice versa. Scholars have stated that the wisdom behind this is to express optimism for a change of circumstances from drought and famine to abundance and prosperity, following the example of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
Rulings on prayer for women and travelers
Scholars have confirmed the permissibility of women attending the prayer for rain (Istisqa), provided they adhere to modest dress and refrain from adornment or wearing perfume. Their rows should be behind the men's rows, with the last row being the best for women. Travelers and Bedouins are also permitted to perform this prayer if they need rain. Those who miss the congregational prayer may perform it individually at home or wherever they are, asking God to bestow rain and mercy upon the land and its people.
