I heard Anas bin Malik saying, "On a Friday a person entered the main Mosque through the gate facing the pulpit while Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was delivering the Khutba. The man stood in front of Allah's Apostle and said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! The livestock are dying and the roads are cut off; so please pray to Allah for rain.' " Anas added, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) raised both his hands and said, 'O Allah! Bless us with rain! O Allah! Bless us with rain! O Allah! Bless us with rain!' " Anas added, "By Allah, we could not see any trace of cloud in the sky and there was no building or a house between us and (the mountains of) Sila." Anas added, "A heavy cloud like a shield appeared from behind it (i.e. Sila' Mountain). When it came in the middle of the sky, it spread and then rained." Anas further said, "By Allah! We could not see the sun for a week. Next Friday a person entered through the same gate and at that time Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was delivering the Friday's Khutba. The man stood in front of him and said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! The livestock are dying and the roads are cut off, please pray to Allah to withhold rain.' " Anas added, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) I raised both his hands and said, 'O Allah! Round about us and not on us. O Allah! On the plateaus, on the mountains, on the hills, in the valleys and on the places where trees grow.' So the rain stopped and we came out walking in the sun." Sharik asked Anas whether it was the same person who had asked for the rain (the last Friday). Anas replied that he did not know.
The Context of Istisqā' (Prayer for Rain)
This narration from Sahīh al-Bukhāri (1013) demonstrates the prophetic methodology of seeking rain during drought. The Companions' direct approach to the Prophet during Friday sermon shows the urgency of their situation and the accessibility of Allah's Messenger to address communal needs.
The Prophetic Invocation
The Prophet's simple yet powerful dua "O Allah! Bless us with rain!" repeated three times, teaches us the importance of sincerity and persistence in supplication. His raising both hands demonstrates the physical etiquette of earnest prayer.
Scholars note that repeating the invocation three times follows the prophetic pattern of emphasizing important matters and shows determination in seeking Allah's mercy.
The Miraculous Response
The immediate appearance of clouds from a clear sky demonstrates Allah's acceptance of the Prophet's prayer. The description "like a shield" indicates the cloud's substantial nature, while its rapid development shows the swift response to sincere invocation.
The Prayer to Stop Rain
When excessive rain caused damage, the Prophet's specific invocation "Round about us and not on us" shows the precision of prophetic prayers. He directed the rain to beneficial areas while seeking relief for the community.
The mention of plateaus, mountains, hills, valleys, and tree-growing areas demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of where rain brings maximum ecological benefit.
Scholarly Observations
Classical commentators emphasize that this hadith establishes the legitimacy of Istisqā' as a collective prayer during drought. It shows Allah's mercy responds to sincere supplication and the Prophet's special status as the accepted intercessor.
The uncertainty about whether the same person made both requests teaches us the importance of focusing on the lesson rather than unnecessary details in narrations.