Rain is one of the most important requirements for human beings. Life on earth would simply cease to exist in the absence of rain. It is thus no surprise that the Quran provides substantial information about the formation, measure and effects of rain.
Formation of Rain
We know how rain clouds are formed and how the wind moves the clouds from one location to another. The three stages of the formation of rain – evaporation, condensation and precipitation have been defined precisely in the Quran
- Evaporation: “It is Allah Who sends the Winds, and they raise the Clouds…”
- Condensation: “…then does He spread them in the sky as He wills…”
- Precipitation: “…and break them into fragments, until you see raindrops issue from the midst thereof…”[i]
Measure of Rain
“And He who sends down (from time to time) water from the sky in due measure, and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead. Even so will you be raised (from the dead).”[ii]
The term “measure” could refer to some of the characteristics of rain. The amount of rain that falls on earth is always the same. It is estimated that in one second, 16 million tonnes of water evaporates from the earth. This is equal to the amount of rain that drops on the earth in one second. This means that water continuously circulates in a balanced cycle according to a “measure”.[iii] The speed at which raindrops fall, as well as its temperature is also something that is measured and controlled.
Life to the Dead
“We send down pure water from the sky. That with it We may give life to a dead land, and quench the thirst of things.”[iv]
“And We send down from the sky rain chartered with blessing, and We produce therewith gardens and grain for harvests.”[v]
Allah (swt) mentions in many verses of the Quran about the miraculous ability of rainwater to give life to a previously dead land. This is the power and will of Allah (swt) and thus we are reminded about our own death and revival on the Day of Judgement.
Destruction by Rain
Too much of a good thing could be bad for us. This was the case for the People of Nuh (as) who were destroyed by the excessive rains that caused the Great Flood. Similarly, the People of Shuaib (as) were destroyed by fire raining on them, while the people of Lut (as) were destroyed when stones of baked clay rained on them. Thus, we must always supplicate to Allah (swt) to provide us with beneficial rain.
Salat Ul Istisqa
Salat ul Istisqa is a prayer consisting of two rakat performed during the times of drought to ask Allah for rain. It was first introduced in Madina in the month of Ramadan of 6th Hijrah.
The imam prays, with the followers, two rakat during any time except those times in which it is not desirable to pray. In the first rakat, the imam recites Surah Al Aala after Surah Al Fatihah. In the second rakat, he reads Surah Al Ghashiyah after Al Fatihah and he delivers a khutbah before or after the salah. As soon as he finishes the khutbah, people face the qibla and supplicate to Allah.
It is preferred for the one who is making this supplication to raise his hands with the back of his hands toward the sky. It is also preferred, upon seeing the rain, to say: “Allah, make it a beneficial rain” and he should uncover part of his body to the rain. On the other hand, if one fears that there is too much rain, one should say: “O Allah give us mercy and do not give us punishment, calamities, destruction or flooding. O Allah, make it upon the woods, farms and trees. Make it around us and not upon us.”[vi]
Duas Related to Rain
| Duas For Rain[vii] |
| اللَّهمَّ اسْقِنَا غَيْثا ً مُغِيْثا ً مَرِيْئا ً مُرِيْعا، ً نَافِعاً غَيْرَ ضَارّ،ٍ عَاجِلاً غَيْرَ آجِل |
| “O Allah, send upon us helpful, wholesome and healthy rain, beneficial not harmful rain, now, not later.” |
| اللَّهمَّ أَغِثْنَا، اللَّهمَّ أَغِثْنَا، اللَّهمَّ أَغِثْنَا |
| “O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us.” |
| اللَّهمَّ اسْقِ عِبَادَكَ وَبَهَائِمَكَ، وَانْشُرْ رَحْمَتَكَ وَأَحْيِي بَلَدَكَ المَيِّتَ |
| “O Allah, provide water for Your servants and Your cattle, spread out Your mercy and resurrect Your dead land.” |
| Dua When It Rains[viii] |
| اللَّهمَّ صَيِّبا ً نَافِعا |
| “O Allah, may it be a beneficial rain cloud.” |
| Dua After Rainfall[ix] |
| مُطِرْنَا بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَرَحْمَتِهِ |
| “We have been given rain by the grace and mercy of Allah.” |
| Dua Asking For Clear Skies[x] |
| للَّهمَّ حَوَالَيْنَا وَلا عَلَيْنَا، اللَّهمَّ عَلَى الآكَامِ وَالظِّرَابِ، وَبُطُوْنِ الأَوْدِيَةِ، وَمَنابِتِ الشَّجَر |
| “O Allah, let the rain fall around us and not upon us, O Allah, (let it fall) on the pastures, hills, valleys and the roots of trees.” |
Things To Do:
- Write one verse about rain in your Science Journal.
- Draw the Water Cycle and write down the relevant parts of the Quranic verses that describe the 3 stages.
- Write any one dua in your Science Journal and memorize it.
[i] Surah Ar Rum 30:48
[ii] Surah Az Zukhruf 43:11
[iii] https://sunnahonline.com/library/the-majestic-quran/425-about-the-rain-in-the-quran
[iv] Surah Al Furqan 25:48
[v] Surah Al Qaaf 50:9
Alaq Academy 
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