The Ḥadīth of Istisqāʾ

Significance

Anas ibn Mālik ﭬ narrated: The people were struck by drought in the Prophet's ﷺ time. While he was giving the Friday sermon, a Bedouin rose and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, wealth is destroyed and children hunger — invoke Allah.' He raised his hands and said: 'O Allah, water us.' By Allah, we saw not a cloud in the sky; a cloud like a shield appeared from behind him; when it reached mid-sky it spread and rained. The next Friday a man said: 'O Messenger of Allah, buildings are collapsing and wealth is drowning.' He said: 'O Allah — around us, not on us,' and he did not point in any direction but that the cloud broke away. When he pointed toward Salʿ, it split away — and the people saw it.