3/1. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1161 — Prayer for Rain with Humble Dua
Collection Of Chapters Regarding Salat Al-Istisqa'
Prayer for Rain Hadith: Two Rak'ahs, Raised Hands, and Qiblah
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1161
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1161
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ الْمَرْوَزِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَرَجَ بِالنَّاسِ لِيَسْتَسْقِيَ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ جَهَرَ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فِيهِمَا وَحَوَّلَ رِدَاءَهُ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ فَدَعَا وَاسْتَسْقَى وَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ .
Abbad b. Tamim (al-Muzini) reported on the authority of his uncle: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) took the people out (to the place of prayer) and prayed for rain. He led them in two rak'ahs of prayer in the course of which he recited from the Qur'an in a loud voice. He turned around his cloak and raised his hands, prayed for rain and faced the qiblah
[1] It is detailed in numbers 1163 and 1164.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1161In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 1English translation : Book 3, Hadith 1157
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1161
This istisqa prayer hadith gives a clear picture of how the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم led the people when they needed rain. He took them out to the place of prayer, led two rak'ahs, recited the Qur'an aloud, turned his cloak, raised his hands, made dua for rain, and faced the qiblah. The main lesson is simple: when people face hardship, they turn to Allah with prayer and supplication. The hadith about prayer for rain also shows that the act was public and organized, not only a private request. It joins Salah, Qur'an recitation, dua, and humble body language in one act of worship.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم led the people in two rak'ahs when praying for rain.
- He recited aloud in the prayer, as stated in the report.
- He raised his hands and faced the qiblah while making supplication.
- Turning the cloak is mentioned as part of this rain prayer report.
