Has the prayer for rain become a necessity?

Arab Weather - Due to the continued clear lack of rain in most regions of the Kingdom and the absence of any indications of rainy conditions on the horizon, and in accordance with the purified Sunnah of the Prophet, the prayer for rain has become a necessity in all mosques of the Kingdom in the hope of rain from God Almighty.

The Kingdom in general suffers from the absence of rainy conditions, and most of the Kingdom’s governorates have not received rain except for some non-comprehensive rainfall that was concentrated in the northern governorates. This negatively affects agricultural lands, water levels in dams, vegetation cover and pastures, especially after the meager rainy season that the Kingdom witnessed recently.

The prayer for rain (Istisqa') is a voluntary prayer performed by Muslims seeking rain to end drought or to fulfill another need in the worshipper's intention. It consists of two rak'ahs (units of prayer) performed in congregation with an imam.

Ruling on the prayer for rain:

The prayer for rain (Istisqa') is a confirmed Sunnah when rain is withheld. Ibn Qudamah said, "The prayer for rain is a confirmed Sunnah established by the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah and his successors." Ibn Abd al-Barr said, "The scholars are unanimously agreed that going out to perform the prayer for rain when rain is withheld and drought persists is a confirmed Sunnah established by the Messenger of Allah. There is no disagreement among Muslim scholars on this matter."

It is worth mentioning that the prayer for rain is a confirmed Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, in the event of a lack of rain or a delay in rainfall. It is also Sunnah to fast for three days before the prayer.

We ask God to bless us with rain.