Abu Dhabi: Prayers seeking rain were offered yesterday in various UAE mosques following the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The call for prayers came after the delay in rains this season.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, offered prayers for rains (Al Istisqaa prayer) at Al Badie prayer grounds.
His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, also offered prayers at the Eid prayer grounds.
In Ras Al Khaimah, His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, offered prayers at the Grand Eid prayer ground in Khazam.
Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, offered prayers at the Eid prayer ground in Zakhir area in the city of Al Ain.
Meanwhile, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, also offered prayers at Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Mosque, while Shaikh Rashid Bin Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, offered prayers at the Eid prayer grounds in the emirate.
A large number of worshippers, including citizens and residents, congregated at the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi to offer prayers for rain.
The prayer invoking God Almighty in supplication for rains is performed as per the tradition of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Invoking Almighty
This prayer is resorted to when seeking rain from God during times of drought.
During the 6th year of the Prophet's migration to Madinah, people complained to him about lack of rain, so he gave orders for a pulpit to be prepared.
He then appointed a day for the people to gather. He came out when the sun had just appeared and sat down on the pulpit. He extolled Allah's greatness and praised Him. Then he said: ‘You have complained of drought in your areas and of delay in receiving rain at the beginning of its season, but you have been ordered by Allah to supplicate Him and He has promised that He would answer your prayers.'
After this, he turned his back to the people and started praying to Allah, keeping his hands raised, saying, "Oh Allah, let us be covered with thick clouds that have abundant and beneficial rain, frequently making a light rain upon us and sprinkling upon us with lightning. Oh Allah, You are full of majesty, bounty and honour."
Finally, he faced the people, descended from the pulpit, and prayed twice in rak'at (prostration).
With inputs from WAM
