17/13. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1521 — Humility in Prayer for Rain
How is the prayer for rain performed?
Prayer for Rain Hadith: Humility Before Allah
Sunan an-Nasai : 1521
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1521
أَخْبَرَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كِنَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ أَرْسَلَنِي أَمِيرٌ مِنَ الأُمَرَاءِ إِلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ الاِسْتِسْقَاءِ، فَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ مَا مَنَعَهُ أَنْ يَسْأَلَنِي، خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُتَوَاضِعًا مُتَبَذِّلاً مُتَخَشِّعًا مُتَضَرِّعًا فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَمَا يُصَلِّي فِي الْعِيدَيْنِ وَلَمْ يَخْطُبْ خُطْبَتَكُمْ هَذِهِ .
Hisham bin Ishaq bin Abdullah bin Kinanah Narrated from:
It was narrated from Hisham bin Ishaq bin Abdullah bin Kinanah that: His father said: "One of the governors sent me to Ibn Abbas to ask him about the prayer for rain. He said: 'What kept him from asking me? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out humbly, (dressed) in a state of humility, submissiveness and beseeching, and he prayed two rak'ahs as in the Eid prayer, but he did not deliver a Khutbah like this Khutbah of yours.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1521In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 18English translation : Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 1522
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1521
This prayer for rain hadith teaches that seeking rain is not only a public request, but an act of humility before Allah. Ibn Abbas described how the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم went out in a humble state, showing submission, need, and pleading. The hadith also says that he prayed two rak'ahs like the Eid prayer. This gives a clear picture of istisqa prayer: it is connected with prayer, humility, and asking Allah directly. The report also notes that he did not give a khutbah like the khutbah people were used to in that setting. The main lesson is simple: when asking Allah for help, the believer comes with a soft heart, not pride.
What we learn from this hadith
- The prayer for rain should be approached with humility and need before Allah.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed two rak'ahs for rain, similar to the Eid prayer.
- Asking Allah during hardship should be done with submissiveness and sincere pleading.
- The hadith separates this act from a normal public khutbah style.
