When Seeking Rain #4

Virtue & benefit: ʿĀishā (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhā) related that the people complained to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the lack of rain. He instructed that a minbar be positioned in the place where salah was offered. He made an appointment for the people to come out. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came out when the upper edge of the sun was appearing. He sat on the minbar, magnified and praised Allah, and then said: “You have complained about the barrenness of your homes, and the delay of the rain beyond its proper time. Allah has commanded you to supplicate to Him, and He has promised you that He will answer your prayers.” Then he said [the above]. Then he lifted his hands and he continued to raise them until the whites of his armpits showed. After that he turned his back to the people and he turned his cloak whilst raising his hands. Then he turned towards the people and came and performed two rakʿahs. Allah made the clouds form and there were thunder and lightning, and it rained, by the permission of Allah. He had hardly finished his rakʿah before there was a flood. When he saw them hastening to find shelter, he smiled until his molars showed. Then he said: “I bear witness that Allah has power over all things, and that I am the servant and Messenger of Allah.” (Abū Dāwūd 1176)