Rain is generally considered the mercy of Allah (SWT).
It can also be considered the punishment of Allah (SWT) when it is excessive or too much.
That is why when the rain is falling we should ask Allah to make it the rain of his mercy.
It is also mustahabb (recommended) to be a great time for acceptance of Dua. A time for acceptance of the supplications. You may ask Allah whatever you wish as so long that it is not haram.
Al-Ghazali reported: Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Let not one of you refrain from working for his provision, supplicating to Allah to provide while he knows that the sky does not rain gold and silver.”Source: Ihya’ Ulum al-Din 2/62
We must actively seek the provision of Allah and rely upon Allah. The message Al-Ghazali was trying to convey is that when we want something we must be the one’s to act to see it through. It will not magically drop appear from the sky since “it does not rain gold and silver”.
3 Duas For When It Rains
Here are some of the Duas that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to recite when it rained.
Transliteration for first Dua: Allaahumma sayyiban naafi‛aa
Narrated Aisha: Whenever Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) saw the rain, he used to say, “O Allah! Let it be a strong fruitful rain.” Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1032 In-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 27
Transliteration: allaahumma aghith-naa, allaahumma aghith-naa, allaahumma aghith-naa
Translation: O Allah, relieve O Allah, relieve us. O Allah, relieve us. Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1014 In-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 9
Related Post: 11 Powerful Duas For Forgiveness that you can recite for when it rains.
Transliteration: allaahummas-qinaa ghaythan mugheethan, maree’an muree‛an, naafi‛an ghayra ḍaarin, ‛aajilan ghayra aajil
Hadith: The people came to the Prophet (SAWS) weeping (due to drought). He said (making supplication): O Allah! give us rain which will replenish us, abundant, fertilising and profitable, not injurious, granting it now without delay. He (the narrator) said: Thereupon the sky became overcast. (Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani): Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1169 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 9 English translation : Book 3, Hadith 1165)
These are the 3 Duas you can recite for when it rains based off the hadith of Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him.
The next section will learn about other stories for Istisqa (prayer for rain) based on the hadith.
Hadith About Rain
Narrated Anas: A man came to the Prophet (pbuh) during Jumu’ah prayer and said, “Livestock are destroyed and the roads are cut off.” So Allah’s Messenger invoked Allah for rain and it rained from that Friday till the next Friday.
The same person came again and said, “Houses have collapsed, roads are cut off, and the livestock are destroyed. Please pray to Allah to withhold the rain.”
Allah’s Messenger (saws) stood up and said, “O Allah! (Let it rain) on the plateaus, on the hills, in the valleys and over the places where trees grow.” So the clouds cleared away from Medina as clothes are taken off . Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1016 In-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 11
The prophet (pbuh) did not raise his hands above his head when asking for it to rain.
Umayr saw the Prophet (saws) praying for rain at Ahjar az-Zayt near az-Zawra’, standing, making supplication, praying for rain and raising his hands in front of his face, but not lifting them above his head. Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani): Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1168 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 8 English translation : Book 3, Hadith 1164
Allah Also withholds rain for those who do not give zakat (charity).
Ibn Umar reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Never do people withhold alms from their wealth except that a portion from the sky will be withheld, and were it not for the animals it would never rain.” Source: Mu’jam Al-Kabeer 13454 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani
It is also mustahabb (recommended) to let the rain flow on your body.
It rained upon us as we were with the Messenger of Allah (saws). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) removed his cloth (from a part of his body) till the rain fell on it. We said: Messenger of Allah, why did you do this? He said: It is because it (the rainfall) has just come from the Exalted Lord. Reference : Sahih Muslim 898 In-book reference : Book 9, Hadith 14
Another hadith that recommends Muslims to establish duaa at time when the rain falls.
Makhul reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Seek an answer to supplication at the time when two armies meet and when the prayer is established and when the rain falls.”
Ash-Shafi’ee said, “I have learned from more than one teacher to seek an answer to supplication at the time of rainfall and establishing the prayer.” Source: Al-Umm Ash-Shafi’ee 419 Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Albani
Conclusion
If you could take one lesson from this article it would be to not let the opportunity pass to make duaa when it rains.
You can ask Allah anything your heart desires. Wealth, dua for parents health, happiness, or forgiveness. Just don’t let the chance pass.
There is also another Dua. It is Allahhuma Sukiyan Naafiyan