Abu Dawud

1165. Commentary:
The resemblance to Eid lies in the absence of the call to prayer (adhan), the absence of the call to commence (iqamah), the number of units (rak‘ahs), performing the prayer before the sermon, and delivering the sermon afterwards. In the prayer for rain (salat al-istisqa’), additional takbirs (saying "Allahu Akbar") like those in Eid are not established from authentic ahadith.

1507. Commentary:

➊ Humility, submissiveness, and simplicity before Allah Ta'ala at the time of supplication are highly effective qualities.

➋ "Like this sermon of yours"—that is, you did deliver a sermon, but it was not like your usual sermons; rather, it consisted of supplication for forgiveness and an expression of humility, not a speech.

➌ According to the majority of scholars, the imam should deliver the sermon after leading the prayer; however, it is also permissible before the prayer. And Allah knows best.

1509. Commentary: The resemblance to the Eid prayers lies in the number of units (rak‘ahs), the time—that is, its time is also after sunrise—as well as the place, meaning this prayer is also performed outside in an open field and in congregation. However, the resemblance is not complete, because it does not have the additional takbirs as in the Eid prayers. And Allah knows best.

1:
From this, Imam Shafi‘i and others have taken evidence that in the prayer for rain (salat al-istisqa’), two units (rak‘ahs) should be performed with twelve additional takbirs (takbirat zawa’id),
whereas the majority (jumhur) are of the opinion that it should be performed like the Friday prayer. And in this hadith, the phrase ((kama kana yusalli fi al-‘id)) means:
just as the ‘Eid prayer is performed outside the settlement, with audible recitation, and two units before the sermon,
and from other hadiths and reports, this view appears to be correct.
The author of Tuhfah has also supported this.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
Istisqa means to seek water or to request for water to be given. This prayer is performed on such occasions when there is a need for rain, but days continue to pass and rain does not occur. In such a situation, due to the harm caused to agricultural produce, the danger of famine arises. That is why it is called the prayer of Istisqa, meaning the prayer performed to supplicate for rain.

➋
On the occasion of the prayer of Istisqa, it is necessary to express helplessness and destitution. Therefore, humility and modesty should be apparent in one’s clothing, gait, and movements.

➌
The prayer of Istisqa consists of two rak‘ahs (units of prayer), and its time is also after the sun has risen. In addition, it is performed outside in an open field, i.e., the Eid ground. For this reason, Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) likened it to the Eid prayer.

➍
He did not deliver a sermon like your sermon. This means that the sermon was, in essence, also primarily comprised of supplication. He did not prolong it with unnecessary matters as you do.

Takhrij:
«أخرجه أبوداود، صلاة الاستسقاء، باب جماع أبواب صلاة الاستسقاء وتفريعها، حديث:1165، والترمذي، الجمعة، حديث:558، والنسائي، الاستسقاء، حديث:1507، وابن ماجه، إقامة الصلوات، حديث:1266، وأحمد:1 /230، 269، 355، وابن حبان(الإحسان):4 /229، حديث:2851، وأبوعوانه:6 /33، القسم المفقود.»©Explanation:
➊ This hadith is evidence that the prayer for rain (Salat al-Istisqa) is established from the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
The literal meaning of istisqa is: to request water, to supplicate.
In the legal (shar‘i) terminology, it refers to performing a prayer in a specific manner.

➋ There are two possible types of istisqa: lesser and greater.
The lesser form is that only supplication (du‘a) is made, and the greater form is that people go out to seek rain, performing the prayer for rain (Salat al-Istisqa) in a state of humility, submission, and brokenness, and supplicate earnestly with great humility.
The prescribed (masnun) method of supplication is that after the prayer, the backs of the hands are turned towards the face while making du‘a.
(Sahih Muslim, Salat al-Istisqa, Chapter: Raising the Hands..., Hadith: 896)

➌ Only supplication (du‘a) from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is also established, as when, during the Friday sermon (khutbah), a man requested him to supplicate for rain, so he supplicated while standing on the pulpit, as a result of which rain began and continued until the next Friday.
From this, it is understood that the preacher (khatib) can supplicate during the sermon, and it is not necessary to face the qiblah at that time.

➍ Conversation with the preacher during the sermon is permissible.

➎ The preacher is authorized to act upon the request of another.

➏ The prayer for rain (Salat al-Istisqa) consists of two units (rak‘ahs), and its time is after sunrise.
Additionally, it is performed outside in an open field, i.e., the Eid ground, which is why Ibn ‘Abbas radi Allahu anhuma likened it to the Eid prayer.

➐ The narration from Ibn ‘Abbas radi Allahu anhuma in which there is mention of seven takbirs in the first rak‘ah and five in the second, like the Eid prayers, has been declared weak by the scholars.
(Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2/67, 68)

➑ “He did not deliver a sermon like your sermon”—this means that the sermon was essentially comprised of supplication (du‘a) itself; he did not prolong it with unnecessary matters as you do.

➒ Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlawi rahimahullah has written in his renowned book Hujjat Allah al-Balighah: “Several methods of performing the prayer for rain (Salat al-Istisqa) are transmitted from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
The prescribed (masnun) method is that all the people gather outside the city or settlement.
Their clothing should be old and worn, and they should weep and plead before Allah in fear.
After this, the imam should lead them in two units (rak‘ahs) of prayer in congregation, reciting aloud.
Then he should deliver a sermon and supplicate facing the qiblah.
During this, he should turn his cloak inside out.
” The method for this will be detailed further ahead.