Rain prayers performed across the UAE on directives of President Khalifa

Mian Mujahid Shah, Staff Reporter

Faithfull performed Salaat Al Istisqaa (rain prayers) in the mosques across the UAE on Friday.

The prayers were held to keep with the tradition of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to pray for the land to be blessed with rain. Salaat Al Istisqaa is performed similar to Eid prayer. It starts with 7 takberat in the first rakaat in the beginning, and 5 takberat will take place in the second rakaat upon standing up from the prostration.

The move is in implementation of the directives of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Khalifa called for supplicating God to send rain, mercy and abundance upon the country and its people. He also asked the citizens and residents to pray to Allah to bless the nation with rain and mercy, in accordance with the Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) sunnah.

His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, today performed prayer for rain at Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu'alla Mosque.

Worshippers reached the mosques earlier to offer Salaat Al Istisqaa as there was no call of Azaan for the prayer. The Imams (clerics), who lead the prayer, read out the sermon for rain prayer, without walk to the mimber, where the Friday sermon is delivered.

The clerics and worshippers call on Allah to bless the UAE with rain and mercy and ask to Almighty Allah to answer our prayers. The Imams in the mosques also urged the faithful to ask for forgiveness from the Almighty Allah. The rain prayers were held 10 minutes before the Friday prayer.

After completing the Salaat Al Istisqaa, the Friday sermon was delivered.

It is worth mentioning that Salaat Al Istisqaa is a prayer that Muslims around the world perform in request for rain from Allah Almighty.