15) Invoking Allah for Rain (Istisqaa)

Invoking Allah for Rain (Istisqaa) Book 15 of Sahih al-Bukhari

This section gathers the hadith on drought, public dua, turning the cloak, asking for rain, asking for rain to be redirected when it becomes too much, and the believer’s attitude toward the signs of Allah and the unseen.

Hadith Entries

Hadith 1005 to 1039

The exact Hadith text below is kept in the source sequence, with narrator, references, and a practical life application section for each entry.

1005

Going out of the Prophet ﷺ to offer Istisqa' prayer

Narrated by Narrated `Abbad bin Tamim's uncle

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) went out to offer the Istisqa' prayer and turned (and put on) his cloak inside out.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، قَالَ خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْتَسْقِي وَحَوَّلَ رِدَاءَهُ‏.‏

How to Apply This in Life

Turn to Allah in need with humility, not entitlement. Istisqaa teaches that hardship should push the believer toward dua, prayer, and dependence on Allah.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1005
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 1
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1006

Invocation of the Prophet ﷺ

Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira

Whenever the Prophet (p.b.u.h) lifted his head from the bowing in the last rak`a he used to say: "O Allah! Save `Aiyash bin Abi Rabi`a. O Allah! Save Salama bin Hisham. O Allah! Save Walid bin Walid. O Allah! Save the weak faithful believers. O Allah! Be hard on the tribes of Mudar and send (famine) years on them like the famine years of (Prophet) Joseph ." The Prophet (ﷺ) further said, "Allah forgive the tribes of Ghifar and save the tribes of Aslam." Abu Az-Zinad (a sub-narrator) said, "The Qunut used to be recited by the Prophet (ﷺ) in the Fajr prayer."
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا مُغِيرَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرَّكْعَةِ الآخِرَةِ يَقُولُ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Use your dua for both relief and protection of others.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1006
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 2
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1007

Years of famine like the years of Yusuf

Narrated by Narrated Masruq

We were with `Abdullah and he said, "When the Prophet (ﷺ) saw the refusal of the people to accept Islam he said, 'O Allah! Send (famine) years on them for (seven years) like the seven years (of famine during the time) of (Prophet) Joseph.' ..."
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الضُّحَى، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Hardship is a warning, not entertainment.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1007
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 3
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1008–1009

Request of the people to the Imam to offer the Istisqa' prayer

Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin Dinar

My father said, "I heard Ibn `Umar reciting the poetic verses of Abu Talib..."
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو قُتَيْبَةَ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Care for the weak, especially widows and orphans, brings barakah.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1008, 1009
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 4
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1010

Seeking rain through the dua of Al-`Abbas

Narrated by Narrated Anas

Whenever drought threatened them, `Umar bin Al-Khattab, used to ask Al-Abbas bin `Abdul Muttalib to invoke Allah for rain...
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Leadership should respond to hardship with humility.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1010
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 5
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1011

Turning cloak inside out while offering the Istisqa' prayer

Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin Zaid

The Prophet (ﷺ) turned his cloak inside out on Istisqa.
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Ask Allah to turn hardship into relief.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1011
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 6
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1012

Going to the Musalla, facing the Qibla, turning the cloak, and praying two Rak‘ah

Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin Zaid

The Prophet (ﷺ) went towards the Musalla and invoked Allah for rain. He faced the Qibla and wore his cloak inside out, and offered two rak`at.
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Istisqaa is disciplined worship with proper adab.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1012
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 7
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1013

Istisqa' in the main mosque

Narrated by Narrated Sharik bin `Abdullah bin Abi Namir

I heard Anas bin Malik saying, "On a Friday a person entered the main Mosque ..."
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو ضَمْرَةَ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Ask Allah specifically and with adab.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1013
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 8
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1014

Istisqa' in the Friday Khutba while not facing the Qiblah

Narrated by Narrated Sharik

Anas bin Malik said, "A person entered the Mosque on a Friday ..."
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Ask Allah in every state, whether for increase or reduction.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1014
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 9
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1015

Istisqa' on the pulpit

Narrated by Narrated Qatada from Anas

Anas said, "While Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was delivering the Friday Khutba a man came ..."
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Islam teaches balanced dua.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1015
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 10
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1016

Whoever is satisfied with the Friday prayer in Istisqa'

Narrated by Narrated Anas

A man came to the Prophet and said, "Livestock are destroyed and the roads are cut off." ...
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Keep turning back to Allah when conditions change.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1016
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 11
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1017

Invocation when roads are cut off because of too much rain

Narrated by Narrated Anas bin Malik

A man came to Allah's Messenger and said ...
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Ask Allah for what is beneficial and manageable.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1017
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 12
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1018

The Prophet ﷺ did not turn his cloak inside out during the invocation for rain on Friday

Narrated by Narrated Anas bin Malik

A man complained to the Prophet about the destruction of livestock and property ...
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Do not force one ritual form into every context.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1018
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 13
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1019

If the people request the Imam to invoke Allah for rain, he should not refuse

Narrated by Narrated Anas bin Malik

A man came to Allah's Messenger and said ...
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Religious leadership includes answering the people in hardship.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1019
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 14
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1020

If Al-Mushrikun intercede the Muslim to invoke Allah for rain during drought

Narrated by Narrated Masruq

One day I went to Ibn Mas`ud who said ...
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Mercy can be shown even toward those outside faith when there is human suffering.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1020
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 15
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1021

To say: Around us and not on us

Narrated by Narrated Anas

Allah's Messenger was delivering the Khutba on a Friday when the people stood up ...
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Answered prayer should deepen gratitude.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1021
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 16
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1022

To invoke Allah for rain while standing

Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin Yazid Al-Ansari

He went out with Al-Bara' and Zaid bin Arqam and invoked for rain...
وَقَالَ لَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ عَنْ زُهَيْرٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Simple, sincere worship is enough.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1022
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 17
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1023

The Prophet ﷺ stood, invoked, faced the Qibla, turned his cloak, and they were given rain

Narrated by Narrated `Abbad bin Tamim

His uncle told him that the Prophet went out with the people to invoke Allah for rain ...
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Community hardship should lead to community worship.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1023
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 18
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1024

To recite aloud while offering the prayer of Istisqa'

Narrated by Narrated `Abbad bin Tamim

The Prophet went out to invoke Allah for rain... and then offered two rak`at and recited the Qur'an aloud in them.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Let your voice in worship bring humility, not display.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1024
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 19
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1025

How the Prophet ﷺ turned his back toward the people

Narrated by Narrated `Abbad bin Tamim from his uncle

I saw the Prophet on the day when he went out to offer the Istisqa' prayer...
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Turn your heart fully to Allah before expecting change.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1025
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 20
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1026

The Istisqa' prayer consists of two Rak‘ah

Narrated by Narrated `Abbad bin Tamim from his uncle

The Prophet invoked Allah for rain and offered a two rak`at prayer and he put his cloak inside out.
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Proper knowledge keeps devotion beautiful and close to the Sunnah.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1026
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 21
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1027

To offer the Istisqa' prayer at the Musalla

Narrated by Narrated `Abbad bin Tamim from his uncle

The Prophet went out to the Musalla to offer the Istisqa' prayer...
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

All creation depends on Allah’s mercy.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1027
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 22
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1028

Facing the Qiblah while offering the Istisqa' prayer

Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Ansari

The Prophet went out towards the Musalla ... and when he intended to invoke he faced the Qibla and turned his cloak inside out.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Align your body and your heart together when making dua.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1028
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 23
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1029–1030

People should raise hands with the Imam in Istisqa'

Narrated by Narrated Anas bin Malik

A bedouin came to Allah's Messenger on a Friday and said, "The livestock, the offspring, and the people have perished." ... The Prophet raised his hands so much that the whiteness of his armpits was visible.
قَالَ أَيُّوبُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ ... وَقَالَ الأُوَيْسِيُّ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Shared need should create shared humility.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1029, 1030
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 24–25
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1031

The raising of both hands by the Imam during Istisqa'

Narrated by Narrated Anas bin Malik

The Prophet never raised his hands for any invocation except for that of Istisqa' and he used to raise them so much that the whiteness of his armpits became visible.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Show deep need before Allah.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1031
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 26
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1032

What should be said if it rains

Narrated by Narrated Aisha

Whenever Allah's Messenger saw the rain, he used to say, "O Allah! Let it be a strong fruitful rain."
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Train your tongue to respond to blessings with remembrance.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1032
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 27
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1033

Standing in the rain till it trickled down his beard

Narrated by Narrated Anas bin Malik

In the lifetime of Allah's Messenger the people were afflicted with famine... Before he got down from the pulpit I saw rainwater trickling down his beard.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُقَاتِلٍ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Never underestimate sincere dua.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1033
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 28
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1034

If the wind blows

Narrated by Narrated Anas

Whenever a strong wind blew, anxiety appeared on the face of the Prophet.
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ ...

How to Apply This in Life

A believer sees signs and returns to Allah.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1034
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 29
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1035

I was granted victory with As-Saba

Narrated by Narrated Ibn `Abbas

The Prophet said, "I was granted victory with As-Saba and the nation of 'Ad was destroyed by Ad-Dabur."
حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمٌ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Victory and destruction both belong to Allah alone.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1035
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 30
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1036

Earthquakes and other signs

Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira

The Prophet said, "The Hour will not be established until knowledge will be taken away, earthquakes will be very frequent..."
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Signs are alarms for the heart.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1036
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 31
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1037

Bless our Sham and our Yemen

Narrated by Narrated Ibn `Umar

The Prophet said, "O Allah! Bless our Sham and our Yemen" ... "There will appear earthquakes and afflictions..."
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى ...

How to Apply This in Life

A believer is balanced between hope and caution.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1037
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 32
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1038

Instead of provision, you deny

Narrated by Narrated Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani

Allah's Messenger led the morning prayer in Al-Hudaibiya after rain and said...
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Always attribute blessings to Allah first.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1038
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 33
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)
1039

Except Allah nobody knows when it will rain

Narrated by Narrated Ibn `Umar

Allah's Messenger said, "Keys of the unseen knowledge are five which nobody knows but Allah... and nobody knows when it will rain."
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ ...

How to Apply This in Life

Humility before the unseen is part of faith.

Reference :
Sahih al-Bukhari 1039
In-book reference :
Book 15, Hadith 34
USC-MSA web (English) reference :
Scheme :
(deprecated numbering scheme)