3/3. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1170 — High Raising of Hands in Istisqa
Raising The Hands During Istisqa'
Raising Hands in Dua for Rain: A Hadith on Istisqa
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1170
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1170
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، أَخْبَرَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ لاَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ فِي شَىْءٍ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ إِلاَّ فِي الاِسْتِسْقَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُرَى بَيَاضُ إِبْطَيْهِ .
Anas Narrated from:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was not accustomed to raise his hands in any supplication he made except when praying for rain. He would then raise them high enough so much so that the whiteness of his armpits was visible.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1170In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 10English translation : Book 3, Hadith 1166
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1170
This hadith about raising hands in dua for rain gives a clear statement from Anas. He reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was not accustomed to raise his hands in any supplication he made except when praying for rain. In istisqa, he would raise them high enough that the whiteness of his armpits was visible. The wording is about the Prophet's practice as Anas saw and described it. For readers searching istisqa prayer hadith, this narration shows that rain supplication had a special visible form in this report. It also reminds us that asking Allah for rain was done with deep need and open, raised hands.
What we learn from this hadith
- Anas reported a special raising of hands during prayer for rain.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم raised his hands high in istisqa.
- The report describes the whiteness of his armpits becoming visible.
- The narration focuses on the manner of supplication.
