point toward the sky when supplicating Allah Most High and entreating Him. The greater their longing and the more insistent their pleas, the more pronounced their raising and pointing become. Since the supplication for rain involves a degree of longing and insistence not found in other supplications, the Prophet’s raising of his hands and pointing during it were more pronounced than on other occasions.

They do this when they supplicate Allah, devoting their worship sincerely to Him alone, in circumstances of desperate need, hope, and fear, such as when travelling by sea. In such circumstances, they seek Allah intently; indeed, they seek none other than Him. Along with their hearts’ seeking and turning toward Him, they direct their eyes, faces, and hands upward. It is well known that a person’s gesture follows his intention and will. Thus, if they seek none but Allah and desire none but Him, their gesture can only be directed toward the One whom they seek and petition.

In that state, only two things occupy their hearts: what is being requested and the One from whom it is requested. It is well known that pointing with the hand or otherwise is not directed toward the thing being sought and requested from Allah. Nor does it occur to them that their gesture is directed toward that thing; nor, in most cases, has the opponent in this matter claimed this. Nor is that thing above. Thus, the gesture can only be directed toward the One being invoked and sought. Otherwise, it would be directed toward something the supplicant neither intended nor had in mind. This is impossible, and it is clear to anyone who reflects upon it.

The sixth point: They say aloud, “Raise your hands to Allah,” and use similar expressions. This is their own testimony that they