The prayer for rain (Istisqa)
Seeking rain from Allah during a drought, through repentance and supplication (dua), and, in the view most of the school's fatwa follows, a congregational prayer and sermon.
Istisqa means asking Allah for rain. When there isn't enough water (for people to drink, for animals, or for the fields), Muslims turn to Allah and ask Him for rain, through dua and by saying sorry for their sins (istighfar).
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْؕ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ غَفَّارًا ١٠ۙ
Istaghfirū rabbakum innahū kāna ghaffārā, yursili's-samāʾa ʿalaykum midrārā
And I said, 'beg forgiveness of your Lord, He is Most Forgiving.
Qurʼan 71:10, Nuh, from Zujajah.org
When there is not enough water where you live, it is a good thing (mustahabb) to ask Allah for rain like this. If there is already enough water, you don't need to.
How people used to seek rain
- First, everyone tries to fast for three days, say sorry to Allah for their sins, and stop being unfair to others or owing them anything.
- On the fourth day, everyone, old people and children too, goes out to an open field, wearing plain clean clothes, walking humbly, showing that they need Allah's help.
- Before leaving home, they give some charity, say sorry again, and ask Allah to forgive all Muslims, and say salawat on the Prophet ﷺ.
- They keep doing this for three days in a row, bringing along the weak, the elderly, and the children each time.Even animals may be brought, since seeing the neediest ones asking can move Allah's mercy.
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ (رضي الله عنه) قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يُوَاكِيئُ، فَقَالَ: «اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا غَيْئًا مُغِيْئًا مَرِيئًا مَرِيعًا نَافِعًا غَيْرَ ضَارٌّ عَاجِلًا غَيْرَ آجِلٍ، قَالَ: فَأَطْبَقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّمَاءُ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ.
Allāhumma isqinā ghaythan mughīthan marīʿan nāfiʿan ghayra ḍārrin ʿājilan ghayra ājil
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) supplicating, saying, 'O Allah, send us abundant, nourishing, beneficial, and timely rain that is not harmful.' The sky was filled with clouds, and it rained." [Narrated by Abu Dawud]
zujajah 1941, from Zujajah.org
عَنْ شَرِيْكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِراً أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يَذْكُرُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ مِنْ بَابٍ كَانَ وِجَاهَ الْمِنْبَرِ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمُ يَخْطُبُ، فَاسْتَقْبَلَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمًا، فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ، هَلَكَتِ الْمَوَاشِي وَانْقَطَعَتْ السُّبُلُ، فَادْعُ اللهَ أَنْ يُغِيثَنَا. قَالَ: فَرَفَعَ(۳) رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَدَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: «اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا». قَالَ أَنَسٌ : فَلَا وَاللهِ مَا نَرَى فِي السَّمَاءِ مِنْ سَحَابٍ وَلَا قَزَعَةً وَلَا شَيْئًا، وَمَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ سَلْعٍ مِنْ بَيْتٍ وَلَا دَارٍ. قَالَ: فَطَلَعَتْ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ سَحَابَةٌ مِثْلَ التَّرْسِ، فَلَمَا تَوَسَّطَتْ السَّمَاءَ انْتَثَرَتْ، ثُمَّ أَمْطَرَتْ قَالَ: فَوَاللهِ، مَا رَأَيْنَا الشَّمْسَ سَبَتًا، ثُمَّ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْبَابِ فِي الْجُمُعَةِ الْمُقْبِلَةِ وَرَسُوْلُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمُ يَخْطُبُ، فَاسْتَقْبَلَهُ قَائِمًا، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ، هَلَكَتِ الْأَمْوَالُ وَانْقَطَعَتِ السُّبُلُ، فَادْعُ اللهَ أَنْ يُمْسِكَهَا. قَالَ: فَرَفَعَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ ﷺ يَدَيْهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: «اللهُمَّ حَوَالَيْنَا وَلَا عَلَيْنَا، اللهُمَّ عَلَى الْآكَامِ وَالْجِبَالِ وَالظَّرَابِ وَالْأَوْدِيَةِ وَمَنَابِتِ الشَّجَرِ». قَالَ: فَانْقَطَعَتْ وَخَرَجْنَا نَمْشِي فِي الشَّمْسِ قَالَ شَرِيكَ : فَسَأَلْتُ أَنَسًا أَهُوَ الرَّجُلُ الْأَوَّلُ؟ قَالَ: لَا أَدْرِي. مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ.
Allāhumma ḥawālaynā wa lā ʿalaynā, Allāhumma ʿalā al-akāmi wa al-ajāmi wa aṭ-ṭirābi wa al-awdiyati wa manābiti ash-shajar
Sharik ibn Abdullah ibn Abi Namir reported that he heard Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) say: "A man entered through a door facing the pulpit on Friday while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon. He stood facing the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, the livestock are perishing, and the roads are cut off. Pray to Allah to send us rain.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his hands (3) and said, 'O Allah, send us rain. O Allah, send us rain. O Allah, send us rain.' Anas said, 'By Allah, we did not see any cloud or trace of rain in the sky, and there were no houses or buildings between us and Mount Sal’.' Then a cloud appeared like a shield, and when it reached the middle of the sky, it spread and began to rain. By Allah, we did not see the sun for a week. The following Friday, a man entered through the same door while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon. He stood facing him and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, the wealth is destroyed, and the roads are cut off. Pray to Allah to withhold the rain.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his hands and said, 'O Allah, around us and not upon us. O Allah, upon the hills, mountains, valleys, and places where trees grow.' The rain stopped, and we walked out in the sunshine." Sharik asked Anas, "Was it the same man?" He replied, "I do not know." [Agreed upon]
zujajah 1939, from Zujajah.org
Istisqa means seeking rain: asking Allah for it in a specific way during a drought. In essence it is dua and istighfar (seeking forgiveness): Allah states in the Qur'an that seeking forgiveness is itself a cause of rainfall.
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْؕ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ غَفَّارًا ١٠ۙ
Istaghfirū rabbakum innahū kāna ghaffārā, yursili's-samāʾa ʿalaykum midrārā
And I said, 'beg forgiveness of your Lord, He is Most Forgiving.
Qurʼan 71:10, Nuh, from Zujajah.org
Istisqa is prescribed where water sources (ponds, wells, canals or reservoirs) are absent or insufficient for drinking, watering animals, or irrigating fields; in that case it is recommended to supplicate Allah for rain. Where sufficient water is already available, Istisqa is not needed, since it is prescribed only in genuine necessity.
It is recommended that the ruler direct the people to fast for three days, repent of their sins, give up oppression, and settle the rights owed to others. On the fourth day they go out, with the elderly and children, to an open field, wearing old but clean clothes, walking barefoot, with humility and submission, showing their need and dependence on Allah (going bareheaded and barefoot is even better).
12The recommended method
- On leaving their homes, they first give charity according to their means, renew their repentance, seek forgiveness, make dua for the forgiveness of all Muslims, and send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ.
- For three consecutive days they go out to the open field, each time bringing the weak, the elderly and the children.
- It is recommended to separate young children from their mothers, so that their crying and pleading can move Allah's mercy; animals are brought along too, and their young separated from them, for the same reason.It is reported that the Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) went out to pray during a drought, and along the way saw an ant raising its front legs to the sky. He told the people to go back home, since their prayer had already been answered because of that ant.
The prayer and the sermon (per Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad)
- It is preferable for the imam to recite Surah al-A'la ("Sabbih isma Rabbik al-A'la") in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ghashiyah ("Hal ataka hadith al-ghashiyah") in the second.
- After the prayer, the imam stands leaning on a sword or staff, faces the people, and delivers two sermons with a short sitting between them (a single sermon is also sufficient), beginning with "Alhamdulillah" as the Friday and Eid sermons do, and including dua, praise of Allah and seeking forgiveness for the Muslims.
- During the sermon, the imam turns his cloak: if it is rectangular, the top edge is turned down and vice versa; if circular, the right side is turned to the left and vice versa. Only the imam does this, not the congregation.The fatwa follows the view of Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad on the prayer, the sermon, and this turning of the cloak together.
- After the sermon, the imam faces the qiblah and, standing, makes dua for rain, facing the congregation during the sermon itself, and the qiblah during the dua.
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ (رضي الله عنه) قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يُوَاكِيئُ، فَقَالَ: «اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا غَيْئًا مُغِيْئًا مَرِيئًا مَرِيعًا نَافِعًا غَيْرَ ضَارٌّ عَاجِلًا غَيْرَ آجِلٍ، قَالَ: فَأَطْبَقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّمَاءُ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ.
Allāhumma isqinā ghaythan mughīthan marīʿan nāfiʿan ghayra ḍārrin ʿājilan ghayra ājil
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) supplicating, saying, 'O Allah, send us abundant, nourishing, beneficial, and timely rain that is not harmful.' The sky was filled with clouds, and it rained." [Narrated by Abu Dawud]
zujajah 1941, from Zujajah.org
If rain begins before people set out for Istisqa, it is still recommended to go out to the open field in gratitude to Allah, walking in the rain to seek further blessing.
1عَنْ شَرِيْكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِراً أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يَذْكُرُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ مِنْ بَابٍ كَانَ وِجَاهَ الْمِنْبَرِ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمُ يَخْطُبُ، فَاسْتَقْبَلَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمًا، فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ، هَلَكَتِ الْمَوَاشِي وَانْقَطَعَتْ السُّبُلُ، فَادْعُ اللهَ أَنْ يُغِيثَنَا. قَالَ: فَرَفَعَ(۳) رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَدَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: «اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا». قَالَ أَنَسٌ : فَلَا وَاللهِ مَا نَرَى فِي السَّمَاءِ مِنْ سَحَابٍ وَلَا قَزَعَةً وَلَا شَيْئًا، وَمَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ سَلْعٍ مِنْ بَيْتٍ وَلَا دَارٍ. قَالَ: فَطَلَعَتْ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ سَحَابَةٌ مِثْلَ التَّرْسِ، فَلَمَا تَوَسَّطَتْ السَّمَاءَ انْتَثَرَتْ، ثُمَّ أَمْطَرَتْ قَالَ: فَوَاللهِ، مَا رَأَيْنَا الشَّمْسَ سَبَتًا، ثُمَّ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْبَابِ فِي الْجُمُعَةِ الْمُقْبِلَةِ وَرَسُوْلُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمُ يَخْطُبُ، فَاسْتَقْبَلَهُ قَائِمًا، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ، هَلَكَتِ الْأَمْوَالُ وَانْقَطَعَتِ السُّبُلُ، فَادْعُ اللهَ أَنْ يُمْسِكَهَا. قَالَ: فَرَفَعَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ ﷺ يَدَيْهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: «اللهُمَّ حَوَالَيْنَا وَلَا عَلَيْنَا، اللهُمَّ عَلَى الْآكَامِ وَالْجِبَالِ وَالظَّرَابِ وَالْأَوْدِيَةِ وَمَنَابِتِ الشَّجَرِ». قَالَ: فَانْقَطَعَتْ وَخَرَجْنَا نَمْشِي فِي الشَّمْسِ قَالَ شَرِيكَ : فَسَأَلْتُ أَنَسًا أَهُوَ الرَّجُلُ الْأَوَّلُ؟ قَالَ: لَا أَدْرِي. مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ.
Allāhumma ḥawālaynā wa lā ʿalaynā, Allāhumma ʿalā al-akāmi wa al-ajāmi wa aṭ-ṭirābi wa al-awdiyati wa manābiti ash-shajar
Sharik ibn Abdullah ibn Abi Namir reported that he heard Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) say: "A man entered through a door facing the pulpit on Friday while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon. He stood facing the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, the livestock are perishing, and the roads are cut off. Pray to Allah to send us rain.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his hands (3) and said, 'O Allah, send us rain. O Allah, send us rain. O Allah, send us rain.' Anas said, 'By Allah, we did not see any cloud or trace of rain in the sky, and there were no houses or buildings between us and Mount Sal’.' Then a cloud appeared like a shield, and when it reached the middle of the sky, it spread and began to rain. By Allah, we did not see the sun for a week. The following Friday, a man entered through the same door while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon. He stood facing him and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, the wealth is destroyed, and the roads are cut off. Pray to Allah to withhold the rain.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his hands and said, 'O Allah, around us and not upon us. O Allah, upon the hills, mountains, valleys, and places where trees grow.' The rain stopped, and we walked out in the sunshine." Sharik asked Anas, "Was it the same man?" He replied, "I do not know." [Agreed upon]
zujajah 1939, from Zujajah.org
Istisqa, lexically "seeking to be given water to drink", denotes in Shari'ah terminology the seeking of rain from Allah by a specific method during drought; in essence it consists of dua together with istighfar. Istighfar is itself stated in the Qur'an to be a cause of rainfall.
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْؕ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ غَفَّارًا ١٠ۙ
Istaghfirū rabbakum innahū kāna ghaffārā, yursili's-samāʾa ʿalaykum midrārā
And I said, 'beg forgiveness of your Lord, He is Most Forgiving.
Qurʼan 71:10, Nuh, from Zujajah.org
Istisqa is legislated for places lacking water sources (ponds, wells, canals or reservoirs) sufficient for drinking, watering livestock and irrigating fields; supplicating for rain there is mustahabb. Where these sources already meet the need, Istisqa is not called for, since it is prescribed only under genuine necessity (darurah).
It is mustahabb for the ruler to direct the people to fast for three days, to repent of their sins, to abandon oppression (zulm), and to discharge the rights owed to others. On the fourth day, together with the elderly and children, they proceed to an open field wearing old but clean garments, walking barefoot in humility and submission, displaying need and dependence on Allah; going bareheaded and unshod is more virtuous still.
12The received method
- On leaving their homes they first give charity according to their means, renew their repentance and istighfar, make dua for the forgiveness of the whole ummah, and invoke blessings on the Prophet ﷺ.
- This is repeated on three consecutive days, each time bringing the weak, the elderly and the children.
- It is mustahabb to separate young children from their mothers, so that their crying and pleading move Allah's mercy, and likewise to bring animals and separate their young from them for the same reason.It is reported that the Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) went out for the prayer of Istisqa during a drought and, on the way, saw an ant lying on its back raising its legs to the sky in supplication; he told the people to return, for their prayer had already been answered on account of that ant.
The prayer and khutbah, per the view the fatwa follows
- The imam recites Surah al-A'la in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ghashiyah in the second.
- After the prayer, the imam stands leaning on a sword or staff, faces the congregation, and delivers two khutbahs with a brief sitting between them (a single khutbah also suffices), opening with "Alhamdulillah" as in the Friday and Eid khutbahs, and consisting of dua, praise of Allah, and istighfar on behalf of the Muslims.
- During the khutbah the imam turns his cloak: if rectangular, the upper edge is brought down and vice versa; if circular, the right side is brought to the left and vice versa. This is done by the imam alone, not the congregation, and the fatwa is on the position of Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad, meaning the prayer, the khutbah, and the turning of the cloak together.
- On completing the khutbah, the imam faces the qiblah and, standing, supplicates for rain; he faces the congregation for the khutbah itself, and the qiblah for the dua.
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ (رضي الله عنه) قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يُوَاكِيئُ، فَقَالَ: «اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا غَيْئًا مُغِيْئًا مَرِيئًا مَرِيعًا نَافِعًا غَيْرَ ضَارٌّ عَاجِلًا غَيْرَ آجِلٍ، قَالَ: فَأَطْبَقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّمَاءُ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ.
Allāhumma isqinā ghaythan mughīthan marīʿan nāfiʿan ghayra ḍārrin ʿājilan ghayra ājil
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) supplicating, saying, 'O Allah, send us abundant, nourishing, beneficial, and timely rain that is not harmful.' The sky was filled with clouds, and it rained." [Narrated by Abu Dawud]
zujajah 1941, from Zujajah.org
Where rain begins before the people have set out for Istisqa, going out to the open field in gratitude, walking in the rain to seek further blessing, remains mustahabb.
1عَنْ شَرِيْكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِراً أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يَذْكُرُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ مِنْ بَابٍ كَانَ وِجَاهَ الْمِنْبَرِ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمُ يَخْطُبُ، فَاسْتَقْبَلَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمًا، فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ، هَلَكَتِ الْمَوَاشِي وَانْقَطَعَتْ السُّبُلُ، فَادْعُ اللهَ أَنْ يُغِيثَنَا. قَالَ: فَرَفَعَ(۳) رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَدَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: «اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا اللهُمَّ اسْقِنَا». قَالَ أَنَسٌ : فَلَا وَاللهِ مَا نَرَى فِي السَّمَاءِ مِنْ سَحَابٍ وَلَا قَزَعَةً وَلَا شَيْئًا، وَمَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ سَلْعٍ مِنْ بَيْتٍ وَلَا دَارٍ. قَالَ: فَطَلَعَتْ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ سَحَابَةٌ مِثْلَ التَّرْسِ، فَلَمَا تَوَسَّطَتْ السَّمَاءَ انْتَثَرَتْ، ثُمَّ أَمْطَرَتْ قَالَ: فَوَاللهِ، مَا رَأَيْنَا الشَّمْسَ سَبَتًا، ثُمَّ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْبَابِ فِي الْجُمُعَةِ الْمُقْبِلَةِ وَرَسُوْلُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمُ يَخْطُبُ، فَاسْتَقْبَلَهُ قَائِمًا، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ، هَلَكَتِ الْأَمْوَالُ وَانْقَطَعَتِ السُّبُلُ، فَادْعُ اللهَ أَنْ يُمْسِكَهَا. قَالَ: فَرَفَعَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ ﷺ يَدَيْهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: «اللهُمَّ حَوَالَيْنَا وَلَا عَلَيْنَا، اللهُمَّ عَلَى الْآكَامِ وَالْجِبَالِ وَالظَّرَابِ وَالْأَوْدِيَةِ وَمَنَابِتِ الشَّجَرِ». قَالَ: فَانْقَطَعَتْ وَخَرَجْنَا نَمْشِي فِي الشَّمْسِ قَالَ شَرِيكَ : فَسَأَلْتُ أَنَسًا أَهُوَ الرَّجُلُ الْأَوَّلُ؟ قَالَ: لَا أَدْرِي. مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ.
Allāhumma ḥawālaynā wa lā ʿalaynā, Allāhumma ʿalā al-akāmi wa al-ajāmi wa aṭ-ṭirābi wa al-awdiyati wa manābiti ash-shajar
Sharik ibn Abdullah ibn Abi Namir reported that he heard Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) say: "A man entered through a door facing the pulpit on Friday while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon. He stood facing the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, the livestock are perishing, and the roads are cut off. Pray to Allah to send us rain.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his hands (3) and said, 'O Allah, send us rain. O Allah, send us rain. O Allah, send us rain.' Anas said, 'By Allah, we did not see any cloud or trace of rain in the sky, and there were no houses or buildings between us and Mount Sal’.' Then a cloud appeared like a shield, and when it reached the middle of the sky, it spread and began to rain. By Allah, we did not see the sun for a week. The following Friday, a man entered through the same door while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon. He stood facing him and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, the wealth is destroyed, and the roads are cut off. Pray to Allah to withhold the rain.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his hands and said, 'O Allah, around us and not upon us. O Allah, upon the hills, mountains, valleys, and places where trees grow.' The rain stopped, and we walked out in the sunshine." Sharik asked Anas, "Was it the same man?" He replied, "I do not know." [Agreed upon]
zujajah 1939, from Zujajah.org
This is the English translation of Nisab Ahle Khidmaat Sharia, exactly as the book has it, for the passages this page was written from. About 1,015 words. Switch back to Guide for the rewritten version.
Rulings of Eid Prayers 8. Rules Regarding Eid Prayers
Rules of Istisqa (Prayer for Rain):
1. Definition of Istisqa:
(1) Istisqa means seeking rain. In Islamic terminology, it refers to asking Allah for rain in a specific way during times of drought. Essentially, Istisqa involves supplication and seeking forgiveness (repentance or asking for pardon for sins).
(2) Seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) is a cause for rainfall, as mentioned in the Quran. Allah says:
اِسْتَغْفِرُوۡا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهٗ كَانَ غَفَّارًا يُرْسِلِ السَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا
"Seek forgiveness from your Lord; indeed, He is most forgiving. He will send abundant rain upon you."
(Surah Nuh, Ayah 10-11)
2. Conditions for Istisqa (Prayer for Rain):
(1) Istisqa is prescribed in places where there are no water sources like ponds, wells, canals, or reservoirs for people to drink, animals to be watered, and fields to be irrigated, or where these exist but do not have sufficient water to meet the needs. In such areas, it is recommended for people to supplicate to Allah for rain.
(2) However, if sufficient water is available from these sources, there is no need to perform Istisqa, as it is only prescribed during times of extreme necessity.
3. Method of Istisqa:
(1) It is recommended that the ruler orders the people to fast for three days, repent from their sins, avoid oppression, and fulfill the rights of others. On the fourth day, they should gather with the elderly and children and proceed to an open field. They should wear old but clean clothes, walk barefoot, with humility and submission, displaying a state of need and dependence on Allah (it is even better to go with bare heads and feet).
Upon leaving their homes, they should first give charity according to their means, renew their repentance, seek forgiveness, and make dua for the forgiveness of all Muslims. They should also send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
For three consecutive days, they should continue to go to the open field, each time bringing along the weak, elderly, and children.
It is also recommended to separate young children from their mothers so that their crying and pleading can invoke mercy. Similarly, animals should be brought along [It is reported that Prophet Sulayman (علیہ السلام) went out for prayer during a drought, and on the way, he saw an ant raising its front legs towards the sky. He instructed the people to return to their homes because their prayer had been accepted because of that ant.], and their young should be separated to enhance the emotional appeal and draw Allah's mercy.
Istisqa and Prayer with Sermon:
(2) Congregational prayer is not mandatory in Istisqa according to Imam Abu Hanifa. It is sufficient to offer individual prayers. There is no sermon (khutbah), and the act of turning one’s cloak (as a sign of humility) is also not required. However, according to Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad (the two primary students of Imam Abu Hanifa), it is recommended that the Imam leads a congregation in two rak'ahs of prayer without adhan or iqamah. The recitation should be loud.
It is preferable that the Imam recites "Sabbih isma Rabbikal A’la" in the first rak’ah and "Hal ataka hadithul ghashiyah" in the second. After the prayer, the Imam should stand while leaning on a sword or staff, facing the people, and deliver two sermons (with a short sitting between them). Alternatively, a single sermon is sufficient. These sermons should include supplications, praises of Allah, and seeking forgiveness for Muslims [The sermon should begin with "Alhamdulillah," just like the Friday and Eid prayers.].
During the sermon, the Imam should turn his cloak as follows [This is to signify the change from drought to abundance.]: if it is rectangular, the top side is turned down, and vice versa; if circular, the right side is turned to the left and vice versa. Only the Imam performs this act, not the congregation. The fatwa is based on the view of Abu Yusuf and Muhammad [Meaning, prayer, sermon, and the turning over of the cloak.].
(3) After completing the sermon, the Imam faces the qiblah and, while standing [During the sermon, the Imam should face the congregation, and during the supplication, he should face the Qiblah.], engages in supplication for rain.
(4) The congregation should remain seated, facing the qiblah, silent during the sermon, and Saying "Ameen" during the supplication.
(5) The Imam should invoke Allah by mentioning the weak, elderly [It is narrated in the hadith that the sustenance you receive is due to the weakness of the poor and vulnerable among you. Another narration mentions that if it weren't for the humble people, the livestock grazing in the wilderness, the elderly, and the infants, your bad deeds would result in punishment from Allah.], and children, raising his hands high in prayer [It is preferable to raise the hands in supplication, though pointing with the index finger is also sufficient.]. The congregation should also raise their hands [In a narration, it is said that the Prophet (ﷺ) raised his hands in supplication, even more than during the prayer for rain, so much so that his armpits were visible.].
(6) In this supplication, hands should be raised with palms facing downward and the backs of the hands facing the sky (unlike regular supplications) [Raising both hands during the supplication for rain helps in removing the drought.].
(7) The supplications should be from the Prophet’s traditions, such as:
"اللّٰهُمَّ اسْقِنَا غَيْثًا مُّغِيثًا مَّرِيعًا نَّافِعًا غَيْرَ ضَارٍّ عَاجِلًا غَيْرَ اٰجَلٍ"
"O Allah, grant us rain—beneficial, nourishing, and not harmful—promptly, not delayed."
(8) If rain begins before leaving for Istisqa, it is still recommended to proceed to the open field in gratitude to Allah, walking in the rain to seek further blessings.
(9) If rain becomes excessive and continuous, causing fear of harm, it is permissible to pray for it to stop. The prophetic supplication for this is:
"اللّٰهُمَّ حَوَالَيْنَا وَلَا عَلَيْنَا، اَللّٰهُمَّ عَلَى الْأَكَامِ وَ الْأَجَامِ وَ الطِّرَابِ وَ الْأَوْدِيَةِ وَ مَنَابِتِ الشَّجَرِ"
"O Allah, send it around us and not upon us. O Allah, send it on the hills, valleys, and places where trees grow."
Terms on this page
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- The eclipse prayer (Salat al-Kusuf and Khusuf) The sunnah prayer for a solar eclipse and the recommended prayer for a lunar eclipse: when to pray, how many units (rak'ahs), and how they differ from an ordinary prayer.
- The method of offering the Friday sermon and prayer The units (rak'ahs) of the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah) in order, the intention to use, who may lead, and step by step how the imam moves from the sermon into the prayer.
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- How to pray the Eid prayer, step by step The full method of the Eid prayer in order, from the intention and the extra takbirs to the two sermons that follow it.