6 supplications
Duas for Rain, Wind and Thunder
Rain is a mercy, and the time of rainfall is a time when supplications are answered. The Prophet ﷺ taught specific words for each weather event.
When it rains
اللَّهُمَّ صَيِّبًا نَافِعًا
Allahumma sayyiban nafi‘a.
O Allah, (make it) a beneficial rain.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari
After the rain
مُطِرْنَا بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَرَحْمَتِهِ
Mutirna bi-fadlillahi wa rahmatih.
We have been given rain by the grace and mercy of Allah.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim
When rain is too heavy
اللَّهُمَّ حَوَالَيْنَا وَلَا عَلَيْنَا، اللَّهُمَّ عَلَى الْآكَامِ وَالظِّرَابِ، وَبُطُونِ الْأَوْدِيَةِ، وَمَنَابِتِ الشَّجَرِ
Allahumma hawalayna wa la ‘alayna, Allahumma ‘alal-akami wadh-dhirab, wa butunil-awdiyah, wa manabitish-shajar.
O Allah, around us and not upon us. O Allah, upon the hills, the mountains, the valleys and the places where trees grow.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim
In strong wind
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا، وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيهَا، وَخَيْرَ مَا أُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا، وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا، وَشَرِّ مَا أُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ
Allahumma inni as’aluka khayraha, wa khayra ma fiha, wa khayra ma ursilat bih, wa a‘udhu bika min sharriha, wa sharri ma fiha, wa sharri ma ursilat bih.
O Allah, I ask You for its good, the good within it and the good it was sent with, and I seek refuge in You from its evil, the evil within it and the evil it was sent with.
Source: Sahih Muslim
When hearing thunder
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي يُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ
Subhanal-ladhi yusabbihur-ra‘du bi-hamdihi wal-mala’ikatu min khifatih.
Glory be to Him whom the thunder glorifies with His praise, and the angels out of fear of Him. Said by ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr.
Source: al-Muwatta’ of Malik
Asking for rain
اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا، اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا، اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا
Allahumma aghithna, Allahumma aghithna, Allahumma aghithna.
O Allah, send us rain; O Allah, send us rain; O Allah, send us rain.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim
Rain, wind and gratitude
Rain is a mercy and a time of answered du‘a: the Prophet ﷺ would uncover part of his body to the rain and say, “It has just come from its Lord” (Muslim). After rain, the believer says “We were given rain by the bounty and mercy of Allah”, not attributing it to the stars or seasons alone (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
He forbade cursing the wind, for it comes by Allah’s command, and taught to ask for its good and seek refuge from its harm (Abu Dawud). When the sky darkened his face changed until it rained, out of fear that it might be a punishment like the one that came to ‘Ad (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
Meaning of “Allahumma sayyiban nafi‘a”
Sayyib is falling rain, and nafi‘ is what benefits the land and people without harming them. When it rains, the believer asks that it be a mercy, not a punishment, reviving the earth and watering crops and animals. When rain becomes too heavy and harm is feared he says: “O Allah, around us and not upon us” (al-Bukhari, Muslim), asking that it be turned to where it is useful.
Practical tips
- Step out for a moment and let the first rain touch you.
- Say the du‘a for beneficial rain when it starts.
- Make personal du‘a while it falls.
- Do not curse the wind or the weather.
- Thank Allah afterwards: “We were given rain by the bounty of Allah.”
Duas for Rain, Wind and Thunder: questions and answers
Is du‘a answered during rain?
Many scholars count the time of rainfall among the times of answered du‘a, based on reports that du‘a is not rejected at the call to prayer and under the rain (Abu Dawud).
What is the prayer for rain?
Salat al-istisqa’: two rak‘ahs in the open, with a sermon and abundant istighfar, when rain is withheld (al-Bukhari, Muslim).