HH The Amir calls for Istisqaa Prayer for rain on Thursday
HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has called for a prayer for rain — the Istisqaa Prayer — to be held on Thursday, November 14. Sheikh Tamim and other top-ranking officials will offer their prayers tomorrow morning at the Lusail Mosque.
The prayer, which calls on God to provide rainfall, is usually performed when no rains are visible for several weeks together. Here is a look at the prayer, how and when it is performed, and who usually takes part in it.
What Is Istisqaa Prayer?
Istisqaa prayer (Salatul-Istisqaa in Arabic) is a tradition of the prophet performed by Muslims during droughts in search of rain. The Islamic tradition dates back to the time of the Prophet, who himself sought divine intervention for rain.
Religious texts state that once, during Prophet Muhammad's Friday sermon, a man came to Prophet Muhammad in Medina and requested him to pray for rain. Prophet Muhammad did, and he was answered with showers that lasted days.
Nowadays, a community’s imam leads Istisqaa prayers. Islam places importance on rainfall as a blessing from God that brings peace, hope, and sustenance.
When, where is the prayer performed?
The prayer is usually performed around 20 minutes after sunrise, around the same time as Eid prayer. If It cannot be performed then, it can be done any time during Nawafel (optional prayers). The prayer should usually be observed outdoors, but can be shifted to inside a mosque in case of exceptional circumstances.
How is the prayer performed?
Salatul-Istisqaa is prayed as two rak’at, with no Adhan or Iqamah. After starting the first takbeer (Allahu Akbar, God is Great) in the first rak’ah, the imam repeats it seven times. In the second rak’at, the takbeer is repeated five times.
During each takbeer, the imam raises his hands to praise God and also seeks blessings upon the prophet between each takbeer.
After the prayer, the imam will deliver a sermon where he asks God for forgiveness. To conclude the rain prayer, the imam faces the Qiblah (direction of the Holy Kaaba), turns his cloak inside out, places what is on the right, on the left and vice versa.
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