Majma al-Zawaid — Hadith 3288

Sayyidah Ruqayqah bint Abi Sayfi bin Hashim (may Allah be pleased with her), who was the mother of Abd al-Muttalib, said: "Several years (of drought) came upon Quraysh one after another, which dried up the udders (of the animals) and weakened the bones. Once I was asleep in a state of distress (the narrator is unsure about one word here), when a caller cried out in a resounding voice: 'O people of Quraysh! This Prophet has been sent; his days have cast their shade over you and his stars have begun to appear. So come to (rain that brings) abundance and fertility. Look for a man from among you who is sturdy and strong of body, fair and radiant of complexion, of high standing, with long eyelashes, smooth cheeks and a well-shaped nose; who has a quality by which he restrains his anger, and such seniority of age that people turn to him. Let him and his children come out, and let one man come out from every branch (of the tribe). Let them bathe, apply perfume, touch the Corner (of the Ka'bah) and then climb Mount Abu Qubays. Then let that man supplicate (and let the rest) say Amin. Then you will receive as much rain as you wish.'
(Sayyidah Ruqayqah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:) When morning came I was bewildered and troubled. I related my dream, and I went to various places in Makkah, and every person said: 'This must mean Shaybat al-Hamd (that is, Abd al-Muttalib).' The affairs of Quraysh used to be brought to him. So one man from every branch (of the tribe) came to him. They bathed, walked, and touched the Black Stone; then they climbed Mount Abu Qubays, and the others gathered around Abd al-Muttalib, as far as they were able to advance in goodness, until, when they had all reached the summit of the mountain, Abd al-Muttalib stood up. With him was the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who was a youth at that time, or close to that age. He raised both his hands and made this supplication: 'O Allah, Remover of hardship, Dispeller of distress! You are the One who grants knowledge and is not given knowledge; You are asked, and You are not miserly. These are Your male and female servants, and they are within the bounds of Your Sanctuary. They complain to You of drought; the horned and hoofed (animals) have gone (that is, the animals are dying because of the drought). O Allah, send down upon us rain that is abundant, plentiful, and makes (the land) green and fresh.' By the Lord of the Ka'bah! They had not yet returned when rain began to fall from the sky and water began to flow in the valley. I heard the elders and eminent men of Quraysh, Abdullah bin Jud'an, Harb bin Umayyah and Hisham bin al-Mughirah, saying to Abd al-Muttalib: 'Congratulations to you, O Abu al-Batha'!' Sayyidah Ruqayqah bint Abi Sayfi (may Allah be pleased with her) recited these (verses) about this event: 'O Shaybat al-Hamd! Allah Almighty has watered our city. Before, we found life absent, but then abundant rain began; the water came and made pathways through the low ground, and it gave life to the animals and the trees. This is a favour from Allah Almighty, whose coming is blessed, and the best good news given today to (the people of the tribe of) Mudar. He is blessed in his affairs; rain was sought through him. Among creation there is none equal to him, nor (can such a thing be imagined of anyone).'"
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir; its chain contains Zahr bin Hisn, about whom al-Dhahabi said: "He is not known."