The Book Of The Prayer For Rain (Kitab al-Istisqa')

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) took the people out (to the place of prayer) and prayed for rain. He led them in two rak'ahs of prayer in the course of which he recited from the Qur'an in a loud voice. He turned around his cloak and raised his hands, prayed for rain and faced the qiblah

خَرَجَ بِالنَّاسِ لِيَسْتَسْقِيَ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ جَهَرَ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فِيهِمَا وَحَوَّلَ رِدَاءَهُ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ فَدَعَا وَاسْتَسْقَى وَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn Zayd + 1 other version

One day the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to make supplication for rain. He turned his back towards the people praying to Allah, the Exalted. The narrator Sulaiman b. Dawud said: He faced the qiblah and turned around his cloak and then offered two rak'ahs of prayer. The narrator Ibn Abi Dhi'b…

خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمًا يَسْتَسْقِي فَحَوَّلَ إِلَى النَّاسِ ظَهْرَهُ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ -

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn Zayd + 1 other version

"He turned around his cloak, putting its right side on his left shoulder and its left side on his right shoulder. Thereafter he made supplication to Allah."

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَوْفٍ، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ فِي كِتَابِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْحَارِثِ - يَعْنِي الْحِمْصِيَّ - عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ الزُّبَيْدِيِّ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ…

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh)prayed for rain wearing a black robe with ornamented border. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh)wanted to reverse it from bottom to top by holding the bottom. But when it was too heavy he turned it round on his shoulders.

اسْتَسْقَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعَلَيْهِ خَمِيصَةٌ لَهُ سَوْدَاءُ فَأَرَادَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَأْخُذَ بِأَسْفَلِهَا فَيَجْعَلَهُ أَعْلاَهَا فَلَمَّا ثَقُلَتْ قَلَبَهَا عَلَى…

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn Zayd + 2 other versions

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…

خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُتَبَذِّلاً مُتَوَاضِعًا مُتَضَرِّعًا حَتَّى أَتَى الْمُصَلَّى - زَادَ عُثْمَانُ فَرَقِيَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ اتَّفَقَا - وَلَمْ يَخْطُبْ خُطَبَكُمْ هَذِهِ وَلَكِنْ لَمْ…

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 8 other versions

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh)went out to the place of prayer to pray for rain. When he wanted to make supplication, he faced the qiblah and turned around his cloak.

خَرَجَ إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى يَسْتَسْقِي وَأَنَّهُ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَدْعُوَ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ حَوَّلَ رِدَاءَهُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn Zayd + 2 other versions

Abd Allah b. Zaid al Mazini said: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) went out to the place of prayer and made supplication or rain, and turned around his cloak when the faced the qiblah.

خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى فَاسْتَسْقَى وَحَوَّلَ رِدَاءَهُ حِينَ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn Zayd + 8 other versions

Umayr saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying for rain at Ahjar az-Zayt near az-Zawra', standing, making supplication, praying for rain and raising his hands in front of his face, but not lifting them above his head.

يَسْتَسْقِي عِنْدَ أَحْجَارِ الزَّيْتِ قَرِيبًا مِنَ الزَّوْرَاءِ قَائِمًا يَدْعُو يَسْتَسْقِي رَافِعًا يَدَيْهِ قِبَلَ وَجْهِهِ لاَ يُجَاوِزُ بِهِمَا رَأْسَهُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Umayr + 1 other version

The people came to the Prophet (ﷺ) weeping (due to drought). He said (making supplication): O Allah! give us rain which will replenish us, abundant, fertilising and profitable, not injurious, granting it now without delay. He (the narrator) said: Thereupon the sky became overcast.

اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِنَا غَيْثًا مُغِيثًا مَرِيئًا مَرِيعاً نَافِعًا غَيْرَ ضَارٍّ عَاجِلاً غَيْرَ آجِلٍ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 1 other version

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was not accustomed to raise his hands in any supplication he made except when praying for rain. He would then raise them high enough so much so that the whiteness of his armpits was visible.

لاَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ فِي شَىْءٍ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ إِلاَّ فِي الاِسْتِسْقَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُرَى بَيَاضُ إِبْطَيْهِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 16 other versions

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to make supplication for rain in this manner. he spread his hands keeping the inner side (of hands) towards the earth, so I witnessed the whiteness of his armpits.

يَسْتَسْقِي هَكَذَا يَعْنِي وَمَدَّ يَدَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ بُطُونَهُمَا مِمَّا يَلِي الأَرْضَ حَتَّى رَأَيْتُ بَيَاضَ إِبْطَيْهِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik

A man who witnessed the Prophet (ﷺ) reported to me that he saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying at Ahjar al-Zait spreading his hands.

يَدْعُو عِنْدَ أَحْجَارِ الزَّيْتِ بَاسِطًا كَفَّيْهِ ‏.‏

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…

إِنَّكُمْ شَكَوْتُمْ جَدْبَ دِيَارِكُمْ وَاسْتِئْخَارَ الْمَطَرِ عَنْ إِبَّانِ زَمَانِهِ عَنْكُمْ وَقَدْ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنْ تَدْعُوهُ وَوَعَدَكُمْ أَنْ يَسْتَجِيبَ لَكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ ‏‏{‏…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 2 other versions

The people of Medina had a drought during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ). While he was preaching on a Friday, a man stood up and said: Messenger of Allah, the horses have perished, the goats have perished, pray to Allah to give us water. He spread his hands and prayed. Anas said: The sky was like a…

أَصَابَ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَحْطٌ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ يَخْطُبُنَا يَوْمَ جُمُعَةٍ إِذْ قَامَ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلَكَ الْكُرَاعُ هَلَكَ الشَّاءُ فَادْعُ…

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 1 other version

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his hands in front of his face and said: O Allah! Give us water. the narrator then reported then reported the tradition like the former.

حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ حَمَّادٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ شَرِيكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِرٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ يَقُولُ فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَ حَدِيثِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ…

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik

On his father's authority, quoted his grandfather as saying: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed for rain, he said: O Allah! Provide water for Your servants and Your cattle, display Your mercy and give life to Your dead land. This is the wording of Malik.

اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِ عِبَادَكَ وَبَهَائِمَكَ وَانْشُرْ رَحْمَتَكَ وَأَحْىِ بَلَدَكَ الْمَيِّتَ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr

There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet stood for a long time, accompanied by the people. He then bowed, then raised his head, then he bowed and then he raised his head, and again he bowed and prayed two rak'ahs of prayer. In each rak'ah he bowed three times…

إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ لاَ يَنْكَسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ وَلاَ لِحَيَاتِهِ وَلَكِنَّهُمَا آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُخَوِّفُ بِهِمَا عِبَادَهُ فَإِذَا كُسِفَا فَافْزَعُوا إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah

There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had died. The people began to to say that there was an eclipse on account of the death of Ibrahim. The Prophet (ﷺ) stood up and led the people in prayer performing six bowings and four prostrations. he said: Allah is most…

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لاَ يَنْكَسِفَانِ لِمَوْتِ بَشَرٍ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ شَيْئًا مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَصَلُّوا حَتَّى تَنْجَلِيَ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 3 other versions

There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a hot day. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)led his Companions in prayer and prolonged the standing until the people began to fall down. He then bowed and prolonged it; then he raised his head and prolonged (the stay); then he…

حَدَّثَنَا مُؤَمَّلُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ كُسِفَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي يَوْمٍ شَدِيدِ الْحَرِّ…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh

There was an eclipse of the sun during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)came tot he mosque; he stood up and uttered the takbir (Allah is great); the people stood in rows behind him; the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited from the Quran for a long time; then he uttered the takbir (Allah is most…

فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَقَامَ فَكَبَّرَ وَصَفَّ النَّاسُ وَرَاءَهُ فَاقْتَرَأَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قِرَاءَةً طَوِيلَةً ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ فَرَكَعَ رُكُوعًا طَوِيلاً…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 1 other version

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed at the solar eclipse as reported in the tradition narrated by 'Urwah from Aishah from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that he offered two rak'ahs of prayer bowing twice in each rak'ah.

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَنْبَسَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ كَانَ كَثِيرُ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، كَانَ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى…

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās

An eclipse of the sun took place in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) led them in prayer. He recited one of the long surahs, bowing five times and prostrating himself twice. He then stood up for the second rak'ah, recited one of the long surahs, bowed five times, prostrated…

صَلَّى بِهِمْ فَقَرَأَ بِسُورَةٍ مِنَ الطُّوَلِ وَرَكَعَ خَمْسَ رَكَعَاتٍ وَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَامَ الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَرَأَ سُورَةً مِنَ الطُّوَلِ وَرَكَعَ خَمْسَ رَكَعَاتٍ وَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ كَمَا…

Narrated by ’Ubayy ibn Ka‘b + 2 other versions

The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed at solar eclipse; he recited from the Qur'an and then bowed; then he recited from the Qur'an and then bowed; he then recited from the Qur'an and bowed; he then recited fromt eh Qur'an and bowed. Then he prostrated himself and performed the second rak'ah similar to the first.

صَلَّى فِي كُسُوفِ الشَّمْسِ فَقَرَأَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ وَالأُخْرَى مِثْلُهَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 6 other versions

When, a boy from the Ansar and I were shooting (arrows) towards two of our targets, the sun was sighted by the people at the height of two or three lances above the horizon. It became black like the black herb called tannumah. One of us said to his companion: Let us go to the mosque; by Allah, this…

فَاسْتَقْدَمَ فَصَلَّى فَقَامَ بِنَا كَأَطْوَلِ مَا قَامَ بِنَا فِي صَلاَةٍ قَطُّ لاَ نَسْمَعُ لَهُ صَوْتًا قَالَ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ بِنَا كَأَطْوَلِ مَا رَكَعَ بِنَا فِي صَلاَةٍ قَطُّ لاَ نَسْمَعُ لَهُ صَوْتًا ثُمَّ سَجَدَ…

Narrated by Samurah ibn Jundub + 7 other versions

There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He came out bewildered pulling his garment, and I was in his company at Medina. He prayed two rak'ahs and stood for a long time in them. He then departed and the sun became bright. He then said: There are the signs by means…

إِنَّمَا هَذِهِ الآيَاتُ يُخَوِّفُ اللَّهُ بِهَا فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهَا فَصَلُّوا كَأَحْدَثِ صَلاَةٍ صَلَّيْتُمُوهَا مِنَ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Qabīsa ibn Mukhāriq al-Hilāalī

The solar eclipse took place... The narrator then narrated the tradition like that of Musa. The narrator again said: Until the stars appear (in the heaven).

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا رَيْحَانُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبَّادُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ هِلاَلِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ، أَنَّ قَبِيصَةَ الْهِلاَلِيَّ، حَدَّثَهُ…

Narrated by Qabīsa ibn Mukhāriq al-Hilāalī

There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out and led the people in prayer. he stood up and I guessed that he recited Surah al-Baqarah. The narrator then further transmitted the tradition. He (the Prophet) then prostrated himself…

فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَصَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ فَقَامَ فَحَزَرْتُ قِرَاءَتَهُ فَرَأَيْتُ أَنَّهُ قَرَأَ بِسُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ - وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ - ثُمَّ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَأَطَالَ…

Narrated by Ā’ishah

The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon on him) recited from teh Qur'an in a loud voice in the prayer at an eclipse.

قَرَأَ قِرَاءَةً طَوِيلَةً فَجَهَرَ بِهَا

Narrated by Ā’ishah

An eclipse of the sun took place. the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed along with the people. He stood up for a long time nearly equal to the recitation of Surah al Baqarah. H then bowed. The narrator then transmitted the rest of the tradition.

فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالنَّاسُ مَعَهُ فَقَامَ قِيَامًا طَوِيلاً بِنَحْوٍ مِنْ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās

There was an eclipse of the sun. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded a man who summoned: "The prayer will be held in congregation"

أَنَّ الصَّلاَةَ جَامِعَةٌ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 3 other versions

The sun and the moon are not eclipsed on account of anyone's death or on account of anyone's birth. So when you see that, supplicate Allah, declare His greatness, and give alms.

الشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ لاَ يُخْسَفَانِ لِمَوْتِ أَحَدٍ وَلاَ لِحَيَاتِهِ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ ذَلِكَ فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكَبِّرُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 5 other versions

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to command us to free slaves on the occasion of an eclipse

بِالْعَتَاقَةِ فِي صَلاَةِ الْكُسُوفِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Asmā bint Abu Bakr

There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Prophet (ﷺ). He began to pray a series of pairs of rak'ahs enquiring about the sun (at the end of them) till it became clear.

فَجَعَلَ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَيَسْأَلُ عَنْهَا حَتَّى انْجَلَتْ ‏.‏

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr

There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood up and he was not going to perform bowing till he bowed; and he was not going to raise his head till he raised (after bowing); and he was not going to prostrate himself till he prostrated…

رَبِّ أَلَمْ تَعِدْنِي أَنْ لاَ تُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنَا فِيهِمْ أَلَمْ تَعِدْنِي أَنْ لاَ تُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr

During the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) I was shooting some arrows when an eclipse of the sun tok place. I, therefore , threw them (the arrows) away and said: I must see how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) acts in a solar eclipse today. So I came to him; he was standing (in…

بَيْنَمَا أَنَا أَتَرَمَّى، بِأَسْهُمٍ فِي حَيَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذْ كُسِفَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَنَبَذْتُهُنَّ وَقُلْتُ لأَنْظُرَنَّ مَا أُحْدِثَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي كُسُوفِ الشَّمْسِ…

Narrated by Abdur-Rahmān ibn Samurah

Ubaydullah ibn an-Nadr reported on the authority of his father: Darkness prevailed in the time of Anas ibn Malik, I came to Anas and said (to him): AbuHamzah, did anything like this happen to you in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)? He replied: Take refuge in Allah. If the wind blew…

كَانَتْ ظُلْمَةٌ عَلَى عَهْدِ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ - قَالَ - فَأَتَيْتُ أَنَسًا فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ هَلْ كَانَ يُصِيبُكُمْ مِثْلُ هَذَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ إِنْ…

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik

Ibn Abbas was informed that so-and-so, a certain wife of the Prophet (ﷺ), had died. He fell down prostrating himself. He was questioned: Why do you prostrate yourself this moment? He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When you see a portent (an accident), prostrate yourselves. And which portent…

إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ آيَةً فَاسْجُدُوا ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 1 other version