disagreement among the hadith reports concerning it. However, each report contains additional details absent from the other. All the authentic hadiths agree and do not contradict one another. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked about rain, thunder, and earthquakes according to the scholars of the revealed Law and according to the philosophers.

He replied:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds.

As for rain, Allah creates it in the sky from clouds, and it descends from the clouds, as He, Most High, says:

“Have you considered the water you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the rain clouds, or is it We who bring it down?”

He, Most High, also says:

“And We sent down abundant, pouring water from the rain clouds.”

And He, Most High, says:

“Then you see the rain emerge from within it.”

That is, from within the clouds.

His expression “from the sky,” which occurs in several places, means “from above.” The word “sky” is a generic designation for whatever is above. Depending on the accompanying context, it may refer specifically to what is above the Throne, to the celestial spheres, or to the roof of a house.

The substance from which rain is created is sometimes the air in the atmosphere and sometimes the vapour rising from the earth. This is what Muslim scholars have stated, and the philosophers agree with it.