Invocation for when it rains

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said: “Whenever the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, saw the rain, he used to say, «Allaahumma Sayyiban Naafi‘an (O Allaah! Let it be a strong fruitful rain).»" (Reported by Al-Bukhaari:1032).

An-Nasaa’i (1506) reported another wording: «Allaahumma Ij‘alhu Sayyiban Naafi‘an (O Allaah, make it a strong beneficial rain).»

Abu Daawood (4435) and Ibn Maajah (3880) reported a third wording of the Hadeeth: «Allaahumma Sayyiban Haynian (O Allaah! Let it be a peaceful rain).»

It was narrated that Zayd ibn Khaalid Al-Juhaniyy, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, led the Morning Prayer for us at Al-Hudaybiyah following rainfall during the night. When the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, finished, he, peace and blessing be upon him, faced the people and said to them: «Do you know what your Lord has said?» They said: ‘Allaah and his Messenger know best.” He, peace and blessing be upon him, said: « This morning one of my servants became a believer in Me and one a disbeliever. As for him who said: We have been given rain by virtue of Allaah and His mercy, that one is a believer in Me, a disbeliever in the stars; and as for him who said: We have been given rain by such-and-such a star, that one is a disbeliever in Me, a believer in the stars.»” (Reported by Al-Bukhaari:801, and Muslim:71).

It was narrated that Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “It rained upon us as we were with the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him. The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, removed his cloth (from a part of his body) till the rain fell on it. We said: “O Messenger of Allaah, why did you do this?” He, peace and blessing be upon him, said: «It is because it (the rainfall) is a new comer from its Exalted Lord.»” (Reported by Muslim:898).

In the above-stated Hadeeths, there are actually many benefits.

1- It is prescribed to recite such invocation when it rains.

2- It is obligatory to attribute all blessings and graces to Allaah The Almighty.

3- It is prohibited to attribute rain to stars.

4- It is prescribed to supplicate Allaah The Almighty when it rains.

5- It is recommended to seek blessings from the rain when it first comes down by making it touches one’s head and other parts of the body. That is because «it is a new comer from its Exalted Lord.» (Reported by Muslim).

6- The rain may be a lot; however, has no benefit for the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said: «The famine would not break out because of drought, but there would be famine despite heavy rainfall as nothing would grow from the earth.» (Reported by Muslim:2904).

7- The word Matar (rain) can be used for the things that imply goodness although it is mostly used in the Noble Quran for punishment.