Salah (prayer) for Rain

“People of al-Madinah cried before Muhammad ibn Khalid about Salah (prayer) for rain. He said to me, ’Go to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and ask him what is his opinion. These people cry before me.’ I went to him (the Imam) and conveyed to him (the Imam) the message. He (the Imam) told me to tell him (Muhammad ibn Khalid) to go out (for Salah (prayer) for rain). I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, when he should go out? 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘He should go out on Monday.’ I then asked, ‘What should he do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He takes out the pulpit, then he goes out and walks as it is done on both ‘Id days with those calling Adhan in front of him with their staff in their hands, until they are in the place for Salah (prayer). He performs, with people, two Rak‘at without Adhan and ‘Iqamah, then he climbs on the pulpit with his gown turned upside down by wearing its right shoulder (sleeve) on his left shoulder (arm) and its left sleeve on his right shoulder. He then faces al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) and says Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) one hundred times, raising his voice. He then turns to people on his right side and says Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) one hundred times, raising his voice. He then turns to the people on his left side and says Tahlil, (no one deserves worship except Allah) one hundred times, raising his voice. He then turns to the people and says Tahmid, (all praise belongs to Allah) one hundred times, raising his voice. He then raises his hand and pleads. They also plead. I hope they will not be deprived.’ He (the narrator) has said that he followed the instruction and when we returned rain came and they said, ‘It is of the instruction of Ja‘far (‘ Alayhi al-Salam).’” “In the narration of Yunus it is said, ‘We had not returned yet that rain came.’” (Hadith 1 is best explained by fatwa.)

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) for rain. The Imam said, ‘It is like Salah (prayer) of ‘Idayn (Salah (prayer) for two ‘Sa’id) in which there is Takbir (saying Allah is great) just like in ‘Idayn. The Imam (prayer leader) comes out to a clean place with serenity, dignity, humbleness and a feeling of desperation. People also come with him, they then praise Allah, glorify Him, admire Him and strive to plead before Him. Say a great deal of Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects), Tahlil, (no one deserves worship except Allah), and Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and perform Salah (prayer) just as in ‘Idayn which has two Rak‘at with supplications and striving. When Salah (prayer) ends with Imam’s saying, “I pray to Allah to grant you peace,” he then wears his gown upside down, places the right shoulder in place of the left shoulder and vice versa; the Holy Prophet would do so.’”

It is a sign between him and his companions that turns aridity to fertility.’”

4. It is in the narration of ibn al-Mughirah: that Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) in Salah (prayer) for rain is said in the same way as on the day of ‘Id, seven times in the first Rak‘at and five times in the second Rak‘at. He (the Imam) performs Salah (prayer) before the sermon; recites aloud and pleads for rain when he is sitting . (Ahadith 3-4 and the following chapter are best by fatwa.)