Is there any mention in a Hadith about the first rain of the season being a cure?
Or any mention about the first rain of the season, that a person should wet himself with it, is this found in any Hadith or as a practice of Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum).
Answer
A Hadith in Sahih Bukhari states that once when there was a drought in Madinah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) made ‘istisqa (beseech Allah for rain).
When the rain commenced, Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) allowed it to drip onto his blessed face and beard…
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1033. Chapter of intentionally getting wet in the rain)
Shaykhul Hadith, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandehlawi (rahimahullah) states [on the authority of Shah Waliullah -rahimahullah-] that based on this Hadith, some ‘Ulama encourage bathing in the first rain of the season. [Since this particular rain was the first after the drought]
(Taqrir Bukhari, part. 3 pg. 207, also see Al-Kanzul Mutawari, vol. 6 pg. 279)
A General Hadith
Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) went into the rain, opened his chest or any part of his body and let the rain fall on his body. Upon enquiry, Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Indeed it (the rain) has just recently come from my Lord.’ [i.e, it is therefore, a source of blessing.]
(Sahih Muslim Hadith: 2080)
‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) explains that based on this Hadith, the Shafi’i scholars have encouraged doing the same in the first rain of the season.
When referring to rain, Allah Ta’ala has mentioned a dual purpose. In one verse, He says: “And he is the One who sends the winds ahead of his mercy” i.e., rain
(Surah Furqan, verse: 48)
In another verse, Allah Ta’ala says: “When they (the nation of ‘Ad) saw a cloud approaching their valleys, they said, “This cloud will give us rain” Nay! It is the calamity you were to be hastened. A wind wherein is a grievous punishment.”
(Surah Ahqaf, verse: 24)
The Multi-Effect
Allah Ta’ala has complete control over everything. Within the blink of an eye, He can change good conditions into adversity and adversity into good. He can create benefits for a certain people and yet harm others with the very same matter.
Rain, for example, is one of those components as is witnessed by all and could be understood by the above verse of the Quran. A Sahabiy (radiyallahu ‘anhu) once requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) during the Friday sermon to make Du’a for rain. The following Friday, the very same companion asked Nabiy (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) to ask Allah to stop the rain as it had rained continuously the entire week and was causing difficulty.
(Sahih Bukhariy, Hadith: 1013)
Sunnah Du’as
Due to this multiple effects of rain it was the practice of our beloved Nabiy (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) that whenever the winds would blow –which is a natural forecast of rain– his colour would change and he would become worried. Upon enquiry, he would say: “I fear that it could be a punishment for my ummah.” He would also recite the following du’a:
اَللهُم إني أسْألُكَ خيرَها وَخَيْرَ ما فِيها وَخيرَ ما أُرْسِلَتْ به، وَأعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرها وَشر ما فيها وشر ما أُرْسِلَتْ به
Allahumma inni as-aluka khayraha wa khayra ma fiha wa khayra ma ursilat bihi, wa a’uzhubika min sharriha wa sharri ma fiha wa sharri ma ursilat bihi
Translation:
O Allah! I beseech thee for the good of it, the good in it, the good that it brings, and I seek refuge in you from its evil, the evil that’s in it and the evil that comes with it.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2082)
Thereafter, if it rained calmly, he would become relieved to such an extent that he would even go into the rain, open his chest or any part of his body and let the rain fall on his body so as to take blessing from it. Upon enquiry, Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) said: “Indeed it (the rain) has just recently come from my lord.”
(Sahih Muslim Hadith: 2080)
The following Du’a were also recited by Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) whilst it rained:
اللهم صَيبًا نافِعا
Allahumma sayyiban nafi’a
Translation:
O Allah! let it be a beneficial downpour.
(Sahih Bukhariy, Hadith: 1032)
During a severe downpour Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) would recite:
اللهم حَوَالَيْنا ولا عَلَيْنا
Allahumma hawalayna wala ‘alaina
Translation:
O Allah! (let it rain) around us and not upon us.
(Sahih Bukhariy, Hadith: 1013 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2076)
And if it thundered, Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) would recite:
اللهم لا تَقْتُلْنا بِغَضَبِك وَلا تُهْلِكْنا بِعذابِك وعافِنا قَبْلَ ذلِك
Allahumma la taqtulna bi ghadhabik wa la tuhlikna bi ‘adhabik, wa ‘afina qabla dhalik
Translation:
O Allah! do not kill us through your anger, and do not destroy us through your punishment. Save us before your punishment.
(Sunan Tirmidhiy, Hadith: 3450, Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 5763 and Al-Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 742)
This Hadith has been classified sahih by Imams: Hakim and Dhahabiy (rahimahumallah)- Mustadrak, vol. 2, pg. 286, as well as by Hafiz Ibn Hajar and ‘Allamah Jazriy (rahimahumallah)- Al-Futuhatur Rabbaniyyah, vol. 4, pg. 284.
After it rains, one should say:
مُطِرْنا بِفَضْلِ اللهِ وَرَحْمَتِه
Mutirna bi fadlillahi wa rahmatihi
Translation:
It has rained through the grace and mercy of Allah.
(Sahih Bukhariy, Hadith: 846/1038 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 71)
These are only some of the sunnah du’as to be recited when it rains.
Acceptance of Du’a
Du’as are accepted at the time of rain:
(Sunnan Abu Dawud Hadith 2533; Mustadrak Hakim vol. 2, pg. 114-Hadith 2535. This Hadith has been classified as Sahih by Imams Hakim, Dhahabiy-ibid and Shawkaniy; Tufatul Dhakirin pg. 69. Also refer to Adhkar of Imam Nawawiy)
In some countries, the masses are so aware of this, that when it rains you will see people standing and making du’a, from wherever they may be.
Let us implement these sunnats and respond to rain the sunnah way!
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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