163 / What Is Said When Rain Falls

We have already discussed the supplications connected with praying for rain, which a Muslim is prescribed to say when rainfall is scarce and delayed beyond its usual season, resulting in withered crops, dead livestock, and other harms. These are blessed supplications and beneficial pleas for aid directed to the Lord of the worlds and Creator of all creation, in whose hand are the reins of all affairs and the keys of the heavens and earth; when He wills a thing, His command is only to say to it, “Be,” and it is. Supplication manifests the depth of one’s need and the true fulfillment of servitude. It brings the servant to submission, humility, and utter brokenness before the Lord of creation. How many afflictions and forms of harm Allah has removed through a supplication, and how many abundant good things, varied blessings, and kinds of joy the servant has attained through it!

The servant calls upon Allah at all times and in all his affairs. When rain is delayed, he calls upon Allah; when rain falls, he calls upon Allah; and when he hears thunder, he remembers Allah. His need for Allah is inherent in his very being: he cannot do without his Lord, Master, and Protector for even the blink of an eye. Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—is Self-Sufficient and Praiseworthy.

We have already discussed what is said when praying for rain and when praying for clear skies. When rain falls, however, it is from the sunnah for a Muslim to say, “O Allah, make it a beneficial downpour.” Al-Bukhari narrated from Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her—that whenever the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—saw rain, he would say, “O Allah, make it a beneficial downpour.”1.

The word sayyiban (“downpour”) is in the accusative because it is governed by an implied verb—that is, “make it”—and sayyib means rain.

The word nāfian (“beneficial”) is an adjective qualifying sayyib. This qualification excludes a harmful downpour, and in this there is