The first Arab country to call for the Istisqa prayer this season

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE , has directed that the Istisqa prayer be performed in all mosques across the country on Friday, October 17, 2025, half an hour before the Friday prayer, to request rain.

The Emirates News Agency explained that this directive is in line with the noble prophetic tradition, calling on everyone to turn to God Almighty in supplication and prayer for rain to fall and spread His mercy and goodness across the country and its people.

How to perform the Istisqa prayer:

• Number of rak'ahs and takbirs: Two rak'ahs, like the Eid prayer, where the imam says 7 takbirs in the first rak'ah before reciting al-Fatihah, and 5 takbirs in the second rak'ah.
• Recitation, bowing, and prostration: After the takbir, the imam begins and recites the Fatiha and whatever he can of the Qur’an, then bows, rises, and prostrates twice, then stands for the second rak’ah.
• The second rak’ah: Similar to the first, with the recitation of Al-Fatihah and whatever is easy, then the greetings and prayers upon the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace.

Sermon and supplication after the Istisqa prayer:

The imam addresses the people, reminding them to repent and seek forgiveness. He warns them against the causes of drought and sins, and urges them to obey God and return to Him.

• Then he raises his hands and prays for rain , using the well-known formula of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “O God, help us, O God, help us, O God, help us, O God, send us abundant, pleasant, plentiful, abundant, widespread, beneficial, and not harmful rain.”
• People raise their hands with the imam and supplicate to God among themselves, facing the qiblah during the supplication.