As for Imām Aḥmad, there are three narrated positions on the matter:
(a) that the prayer is offered first; (b) that the sermon precedes it; (c) that either sequence is permissible.

4- Facing the qiblah when making supplication, for it is a locus where prayers are most readily answered.

5- The sunnah of turning one’s cloak while supplicating, as a hopeful sign that the condition of drought and barrenness will be changed to abundance and fertility.

6- Reciting aloud in the rain-seeking prayer; this is the rule for every congregational prayer, such as Friday, the two ʿEid prayers, and the eclipse prayer.

7- Performing the prayer in an open plain, so that there is room for all and the worshippers may present themselves before Allah in manifest humility and need, stretching forth the hand of destitution and lowliness.

Second ḥadīth

Anas ibn Mālik reported: A man entered the mosque on Friday through a gate that was by Dār al-Qaḍāʾ while the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was standing and delivering the sermon. The man faced the Messenger of Allah as he stood and said, “O Messenger of Allah, our wealth has perished and the roads are cut off; so pray to Allah to send us rain.”

The Messenger of Allah raised his hands and said, “O Allah, send us rain! O Allah, send us rain! O Allah, send us rain!”

Anas said: By Allah, we could see neither cloud nor even a wisp in the sky, and there was nothing between us and Mount Salʿ—no house and no building. Suddenly a cloud like a shield rose from behind the mountain; when it reached the middle of the sky it spread out and poured down rain. By Allah, we did not see the sun for seven days.

The following Friday a man—entering through the same gate—came while the Messenger of Allah was standing and giving the sermon. The man faced him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, our wealth is being ruined and the roads are cut off; so pray to Allah to stop it from us.”

The Messenger of Allah raised his hands and said, “O Allah, around us and not upon us! O Allah, on the hills, the small mounds, the valley bottoms, and the places where trees grow.” The rain then cleared away, and we went out walking in the sunshine.

Shurayk said: I asked Anas ibn Mālik, “Was he the same man?” He replied, “I do not know.”

al-Ẓirāb are small hills, and al-ākām (sing. ʾakmah) are elevations higher than a knoll yet lower than a ridge. Dār al-Qaḍāʾ was a house that belonged to ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allah be pleased with him; it was so named because it was sold to settle his debts.