Thousands of worshippers perform special prayer for rain across UAE's mosques

Following the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, worshippers performed the Istisqa prayer in the country's mosques on Friday.

They did so following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and supplicating God for blessed rain.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, also performed the Istisqa prayer at the Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Mosque in Ajman.

This follows the tradition of our Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who performed the Istisqaa prayer to ask for rain. It also responds to the call of the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed to perform the Istisqa prayer in all mosques in the country.

The imams who deliver sermons at Friday prayers, said: “O believers, we have prayed the Istisqa prayer, asking our Lord to send blessings from the sky upon us. We are certain that He is able to send water, since clouds do not rain and rain does not fall except by His permission and command. This is a mercy from Him alone. He sends it to whomever He wills, reviving the earth after its death and bringing forth its blessings and crops.”

Faithful offer special prayer for rain on Friday.

They added, “O servants of Allah, seek blessings in your lives through purity of heart, righteousness in your deeds and compassion towards one another. Begin your day with prayer, turn to the Book of your Lord and pay your zakat, so that your Lord may bless you. Do not neglect these things, lest His blessing and mercy be withheld from you. Be mindful of your time and start work early. Supplication is one of the ways to attract blessings, so turn to Allah and ask Him to bless all your affairs.”

The Emirates Fatwa Council has explained that the Istisqa prayer is a blessed Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) involving two rak'ahs, followed by a sermon delivered from a non-pulpit. The Council has launched a series of initiatives to raise awareness of this Sunnah and to explain the authentic supplications for rain. These initiatives include a video introducing the Istisqa prayer and its rulings, produced in collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat.