The Book of Praying for Rain (Al-Istisqa')
17/1. Chapter:
When should the imam pray for rain
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1504
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ شَرِيكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِرٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلَكَتِ الْمَوَاشِي وَانْقَطَعَتِ السُّبُلُ فَادْعُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ . فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَمُطِرْنَا مِنَ الْجُمُعَةِ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ تَهَدَّمَتِ الْبُيُوتُ وَانْقَطَعَتِ السُّبُلُ وَهَلَكَتِ الْمَوَاشِي . فَقَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ عَلَى رُءُوسِ الْجِبَالِ وَالآكَامِ وَبُطُونِ الأَوْدِيَةِ وَمَنَابِتِ الشَّجَرِ " . فَانْجَابَتْ عَنِ الْمَدِينَةِ انْجِيَابَ الثَّوْبِ .
It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: "A man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the livestock have died and the routes have been cut off; pray to Allah (SWT), the Mighty and Sublime.' So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed to Allah (SWT) and it rained from that Friday until the next. Then a man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: 'The houses have been destroyed, the routes have been cut off and the livestock have died.' He said: 'O Allah, on the tops of the mountains and hills, in the bottom of the valleys and where the trees grow.' So (the rain) was lifted from Al-Madinah like a garment being removed."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1504In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 1English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1505
17/2. Chapter:
The imam going out to the prayer place to pray for rain
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1505
أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْمَسْعُودِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، - قَالَ سُفْيَانُ فَسَأَلْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ، عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ يُحَدِّثُ أَبِي - أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ زَيْدٍ الَّذِي، أُرِيَ النِّدَاءَ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَرَجَ إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى يَسْتَسْقِي فَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَقَلَبَ رِدَاءَهُ وَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ . قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا غَلَطٌ مِنِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زَيْدٍ الَّذِي أُرِيَ النِّدَاءَ هُوَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ وَهَذَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَاصِمٍ .
It was narrated from 'Abbad bin Tamim: "Sufyan said: 'I asked 'Abdullah bin Abi Bakr who said: I heard it from Abbad bin Tamim who narrated it from his father, that 'Abdullah bin Zaid, who was shown the call to prayer (in a dream) said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to the prayer place to pray for rain. He faced the kiblah and turned his cloak around and prayed two rak'ahs.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1505In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 2English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1506
17/3. Chapter:
The recommended condition for the imam to be in if he goes out
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1506
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كِنَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ أَرْسَلَنِي فُلاَنٌ إِلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ صَلاَةِ، رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الاِسْتِسْقَاءِ فَقَالَ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُتَضَرِّعًا مُتَوَاضِعًا مُتَبَذِّلاً فَلَمْ يَخْطُبْ نَحْوَ خُطْبَتِكُمْ هَذِهِ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ .
It was narrated from Hisham bin Ishaq bin Abdullah bin Kinanah that : His father said: "So and so sent me to ask him how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed for rain (Istisqa')." He said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out beseeching and humble, (dressed) in a state of humility. He did not give a Khutbah like this Khutbah of yours, and he prayed two rak'ahs.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1506In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 3English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1507
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1507
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ غَزِيَّةَ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اسْتَسْقَى وَعَلَيْهِ خَمِيصَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ .
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Zaid that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed for rain wearing a black khamisah.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1507In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 4English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1508
17/4. Chapter:
The imam sitting on the minbar to pray for rain
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1508
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَاتِمُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كِنَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ عَنْ صَلاَةِ، رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الاِسْتِسْقَاءِ فَقَالَ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُتَبَذِّلاً مُتَوَاضِعًا مُتَضَرِّعًا فَجَلَسَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَخْطُبْ خُطْبَتَكُمْ هَذِهِ وَلَكِنْ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي الدُّعَاءِ وَالتَّضَرُّعِ وَالتَّكْبِيرِ وَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَمَا كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِي الْعِيدَيْنِ .
It was narrated from Hisham binIshaq bin Abdullah bin Kinanah that: His father said: "I asked Ibn 'Abbas how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed for rain. He said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out (dressed) in a state of humility, beseeching and humble. He sat on the minbar but he did not deliver a Khutbah like this Khutbah of yours, rather he kept supplicating, beseeching and saying the takbir, and he prayed two rak'ahs as he used to do during the two 'Eids.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1508In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 5English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1509
17/5. Chapter:
The imam turning his back to the people when supplicating during prayers for rain
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1509
أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ عُثْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، أَنَّ عَمَّهُ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّهُ، خَرَجَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْتَسْقِي فَحَوَّلَ رِدَاءَهُ وَحَوَّلَ لِلنَّاسِ ظَهْرَهُ وَدَعَا ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَقَرَأَ فَجَهَرَ .
It was narrated from Abbad bin Tamim that : His paternal uncle had told him that he went out with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to pray for rain. He turned his rida' around, and turned his back to the people, then he prayed two rak'ahs and recited loudly.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1509In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 6English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1510
17/6. Chapter:
The imam turning his rida' around when praying for rain
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1510
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم اسْتَسْقَى وَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَقَلَبَ رِدَاءَهُ .
It was narrated from 'Abbad bin Tamim, from his paternal uncle that: The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed for rain, and prayed two rak'ahs, and turned his rida' around.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1510In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 7English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1511
17/7. Chapter:
When should the imam turn his rida' around?
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1511
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَبَّادَ بْنَ تَمِيمٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ زَيْدٍ، يَقُولُ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاسْتَسْقَى وَحَوَّلَ رِدَاءَهُ حِينَ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ .
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Abi Bakr that: He heard Abbad bin Tamim said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out and prayed for rain, and he turned his rida' around when he turned to the Qiblah."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1511In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 8English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1512
17/8. Chapter:
The imam raising his hands
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1512
أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ أَبُو تَقِيٍّ الْحِمْصِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا بَقِيَّةُ، عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، أَنَّهُ رَأَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الاِسْتِسْقَاءِ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَقَلَبَ الرِّدَاءَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ .
It was narrated from 'Abbad bin Tamim, from his paternal uncle, that: He saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), when he prayed for rain, turn to face the Qiblah, turning his cloak around and raising his hands.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1512In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 9English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1513
17/9. Chapter:
How to raise the hands
Sunan an-Nasai
Hadith No. 1513
أَخْبَرَنِي شُعَيْبُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ الْقَطَّانِ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ فِي شَىْءٍ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ إِلاَّ فِي الاِسْتِسْقَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُرَى بَيَاضُ إِبْطَيْهِ .
It was narrated that Anas said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not raise his hands during any supplication except when praying for rain, when he used to raise his hands so high that the whiteness of his armpits could be seen."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1513In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 10English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1514