10 Sunnah Methods and Prophetic Supplications for Salat al-Istisqa

10 Sunnah Methods and Prophetic Supplications for Salat al-Istisqa (Prayer for Rain)

Muslims’ Practice During Drought​

When drought strikes and rain does not fall, Muslims should:


◈ Appoint a specific day for humble supplication before Allah.
◈ Wear old clothes as a sign of humility.
◈ Walk with calmness and humility to an open place such as the Eid ground.
◈ Place a pulpit there.
◈ Offer prayer and supplication with deep humility.


Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) said:


"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ went out wearing old clothes, walking humbly and submissively, supplicating until he reached the prayer area."
(Abu Dawud 1165; Tirmidhi 558 – authenticated by al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibban, al-Hakim, and al-Nawawi)

Narration of ‘Aishah (RA)​

When the Companions complained of drought:

• The Prophet ﷺ ordered that a pulpit be placed in the prayer ground.
• He sat upon it after sunrise.
• Praised Allah.
• Mentioned the drought and urged people to repent and turn to Allah.
• Then he supplicated:

"اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ... أَنْزِلْ عَلَيْنَا الْغَيْثَ وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا قُوَّةً وَبَلَاغًا إِلَى حِينٍ"
(Abu Dawud 1173 – authenticated by al-Hakim, Ibn Hibban, and al-Dhahabi)


He raised his hands until the whiteness of his armpits was visible, faced the qiblah, turned his cloak inside out, came down, and prayed two rak‘ahs. Rain fell immediately by Allah’s permission.

Khutbah Before the Prayer​

The Prophet ﷺ delivered the khutbah before Salat al-Istisqa.
(Ibn Khuzaymah 1047)

Raising Hands in Du‘a​

Anas (RA) said:


"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never raised his hands in supplication except in Salat al-Istisqa, and he raised them until the whiteness of his armpits was visible."
(Bukhari 1031; Muslim 895)


Another narration:
He raised his hands before his face but below his head.
(Abu Dawud 1168 – authenticated by Ibn Hibban)

Position of the Hands​

In Salat al-Istisqa, the backs of the hands face the sky.
(Muslim 896)

Prophetic Supplications for Rain​

• "اللَّهُمَّ أَسْقِنَا" repeated thrice.
  (Bukhari 1013)
• "اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِنَا غَيْثًا مُغِيثًا مَرِيئًا نَافِعًا غَيْرَ ضَارٍّ عَاجِلًا غَيْرَ آجِلٍ"
  (Abu Dawud 1169 – authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Hakim, and al-Dhahabi)
• "اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِ عِبَادَكَ وَبَهَائِمَكَ وَانْشُرْ رَحْمَتَكَ وَأَحْيِ بَلَدَكَ الْمَيِّتَ"
  (Abu Dawud 1171 – ḥasan chain)

Turning the Cloak (Tahwīl al-Ridāʾ)​

Abdullah ibn Zayd (RA) said:


"The Prophet ﷺ went to the prayer ground, turned his back to the people, faced the qiblah, supplicated, turned his cloak inside out, and led two rak‘ahs."
(Bukhari 1020; Muslim 894)


Cloak turning: the right edge placed on the left shoulder, and the left edge on the right shoulder.
(Musnad Ahmad 4/14 – authenticated by Ibn Daqiq al-‘Id)

Method of Salat al-Istisqa​

• Performed like the Eid prayer — two rak‘ahs, loud recitation, without adhan or iqamah.
  (Tirmidhi 558; Abu Dawud 1165 – sahih according to al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Khuzaymah, and al-Nawawi)
• Abdullah ibn Yazid al-Ansari (RA):
  "The Prophet ﷺ led two rak‘ahs, reciting aloud, without adhan or iqamah."
  (Bukhari 1022)

Ibn Battal said:
There is consensus that Salat al-Istisqa has no adhan and no iqamah.