an indication that rainfall may be an act of mercy and a blessing—this is beneficial rain—or it may be a punishment and an affliction—this is harmful rain.
When rain falls, the Muslim asks Allah to make it beneficial and not harmful. It is recommended to say the aforementioned supplication when rain falls, seeking an increase in goodness and blessing while asking that any feared or anticipated harm be averted.
At this blessed moment, the servant is obliged to recognize Allah’s blessing upon him and attribute all favor to Him. Glory be to Him: He is the Bestower and Giver of blessings. In His hand are giving and withholding, lowering and raising. There is no Lord besides Him and no deity other than Him.
It is authentically reported in the two Sahih collections from Zayd ibn Khalid—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: “The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—led us in the dawn prayer at al-Hudaybiya after rain had fallen during the night [that is, following rainfall]. When he finished, he turned to the people and said, ‘Do you know what your Lord has said?’ They replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘Some of My servants have entered the morning as believers in Me and others as disbelievers. Whoever said, “We were given rain by Allah’s grace and mercy,” is a believer in Me and a disbeliever in the star. But whoever said, “We were given rain by such-and-such a star,” is a disbeliever in Me and a believer in the star.’”1.
Thus, whoever says when rain falls, “We were given rain by Allah’s grace and mercy,” has attributed the blessing to its Giver and the favor to its Bestower. He believes that the descent of this bounty, goodness, and mercy is purely a blessing from Allah and a manifestation of His mercy—Glory be to Him.
As for one who says when rain falls, “We were given rain by such-and-such a star,” his statement falls into one of two cases:
Either he believes that the star itself sent down the rain. This is manifest disbelief that takes one outside the religion of