Encouragement to perform the prayer for rain

Our water situation in Cape Town stands at less than 27 percent drinkable water which is not enough to take us through our summer period.

We, therefore, encourage every able person to attend the Salāh al-Istisqā on Sunday, the 10th of Muḥarram, at Chukker Road Sportsfield, Kenwyn.

Prior to attending:

1. To engage abundantly in Tawbah and Istighfār from all sins. This is because sin is one of the causes of drought and repentance attracts the blessings (barakāt) of Almighty Allāh.

Allah says: “And say, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers’.” (Surah Nuh: 10-12)

“And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allāh, We would have opened [i.e., bestowed] upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so we seized them for what they were earning.”  (Sūrah al-‘Arāf: 96)

Be committed to the development of Allah-consciousness and refrain from sin.

2.To observe fast. It is encouraged to fast towards the lead up to ṣalāh al-istisqā and to beg of Allāh, especially at the time of breaking the fast, to send down beneficial rain upon us. As a further blessing, this fasting coincides with the sunnah fasting of the 10th Muharram.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said:

“(There are) three persons (who) their supplications are not rejected, the fasting person when he breaks his fast…” Reported by Tirmidi

3. To give charity: This is agreed upon by all four of the major schools of fiqh to draw the mercy of Allah.