Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Hisham bin Ishaq bin Abdullah bin Kinanah narrates from his father that one of the governors sent me to Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) to ask about istisqa (prayer for rain). Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: What prevented the Amir from asking me himself? The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out in a state of humility, poverty, submissiveness, lowliness, and calmness (walking slowly). Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) performed two rak‘ahs like the Eid prayer and did not deliver a sermon like your sermon.

Hazrat Abu Ishaq says that we went out with Abdullah bin Yazid for Istisqa (prayer for rain). He led us in two rak'ahs, and behind him was Hazrat Zaid bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) as well.

Hazrat Muhammad bin Hilal narrates that he was present with Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz during Istisqa, so he began the prayer before the sermon. The narrator says that he performed Istisqa and turned his cloak inside out.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid, who is a companion of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), that he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on the day when he went out for Istisqa (prayer for rain). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned his back towards the people and faced the Qiblah and supplicated. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned his cloak inside out. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led two units of prayer and recited aloud in those units. And it is mentioned as the saying of (Imam) Abu Hanifa that: The prayer of Istisqa should not be performed in congregation, nor should there be a sermon in it.