Question:
Is there any supplication taught by the Prophet PBUH to ask for rain from Allah SWT?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
We as believers should always supplicate to Allah SWT because humans are full of weaknesses and always in need of the Creator at all time and place. Hence, there are many supplications taught by the Prophet PBUH for us to practice in our daily lives. Allah SWT also call us to ask of Him through His saying:
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ
And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you."
Surah Ghafir (60)
Imam Ibn ‘Asyur in his commentaries stated that this verse is the evidence that Allah SWT ask His servants to supplicate to him pertaining their needs and wants. It is also the dalil (evidence) of its sanctioning and this has never been refuted among the Muslim scholars. [Refer: Tafsir Ibn ‘Asyur, 183/24]
Recently, our country faced haze and unhealthy weather. This is a reminder from Allah SWT for His servants asking them to return to Him by repenting for their past sins. In this circumstance, rain is really needed to lessen the haze.
Addressing the above question, we would like to cite some supplications of the Prophet PBUH in asking for rain in Hisn al-Muslim and they were recited by the Prophet PBUH during his istisqa’ prayer (prayer to ask for rain).
اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا، اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا، اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا
'O Allah! Bless us with rain. O Allah! Bless us with rain. O Allah! Bless us with rain!"
Sahih al-Bukhari (1014)
The Prophet PBUH recited this supplication when he was giving a sermon and suddenly a man came to him and tell him that rain has not been pouring for a long period of time at his place. Then, the Prophet PBUH supplicated with this supplication in which it is meant to ask Allah SWT to bless them with rain [Refer: Syarh Hisn al-Muslim, 212]
In a hadith narrated by Jabir bin Abdillah RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِنَا غَيْثًا مُغِيثًا مَرِيئًا مَرِيعاً نَافِعًا غَيْرَ ضَارٍّ عَاجِلاً غَيْرَ آجِلٍ
“O Allah! give us rain which will replenish us, abundant, fertilizing and profitable, not injurious, granting it now without delay.”
Sunan Abi Dawud (1169)
This du’a also contains a request to Allah SWT regarding the rain in which even if it is heavy, there will be neither harm nor destruction. Besides, the rain is hoped to be filled with plenty of goodness. [Refer: Syarh Hisn al-Muslim, 212]
In a hadith narrated by Jabir bin Abdillah RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِ عِبَادَكَ وَبَهَائِمَكَ وَانْشُرْ رَحْمَتَكَ وَأَحْىِ بَلَدَكَ الْمَيِّتَ
“O Allah! Provide water for Your servants and Your cattle, display Your mercy and give life to Your dead land,”
Sunan Abi Dawud (1176)
This du’a includes all types of animals as well as insects, and not only towards farm animals. Besides, giving life to the dead land means to restore the fertility of the land into its original form. [Refer: Syarh Hisn al-Muslim, 213]
Closing
In conclusion, supplications using supplications mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah is better. However, it is still permissible to supplicate using supplications other than that because this matter is broad. We are permitted to supplicate with any supplications as long as the meaning is good and it does not contradict with the syarak. May Allah SWT give us strength to practice supplications taught by the Prophet PBUH. Ameen.
Wallahua’lam.