a cloud like a shield. When it reached the middle of the sky, it spread out and then rained. Anas said, “By Allah, we did not see the sun for a week. Then, on the following Friday, a man entered through that same door while the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was standing and delivering the sermon. The man stood facing him and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, the livestock have perished and the roads have been cut off, so supplicate Allah to withhold the rain.’ The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—then raised his hands and said, ‘O Allah, let it fall around us and not upon us! O Allah, let it fall upon the hills, the small mountains, the valleys, and the places where trees grow.’” Anas said, “The rain ceased, and we went out walking in the sunshine.”1.

Mount Salʿ, mentioned in the hadith, is a well-known mountain in Medina.

The words “a cloud like a shield” mean that it resembled a shield in its roundness and density.

In the words “O Allah, let it fall upon the hills and the small mountains,” the first term means hills and the second means small mountains.

The man’s words, “Supplicate Allah to withhold the rain,” together with the Prophet’s supplication—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—“Let it fall around us and not upon us…” to the end of the supplication, indicate that it is prescribed to supplicate for clear weather when rainfall becomes prolonged and abundant, causing harm.

Abū Dāwūd narrated in his Sunan from Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her—who said: “The people complained to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—about the lack of rain. He ordered that a pulpit be placed for him at the prayer ground, and he appointed a day on which the people were to go out. Aisha said: The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—went out when the rim of the sun appeared. He sat upon the pulpit, proclaimed Allah’s greatness, and praised Allah—Mighty and Majestic. He then said, ‘You have complained of drought in your lands and that rain has been delayed beyond its due season. Allah—Mighty and Majestic—has commanded you to supplicate Him and has promised to answer you.’ Then he said: ‘All praise is due to Allah, Lord of