---
title: "Fiqh of Salat Al-Istisqa: How and Its Rulings"
description: "Ṣalāt al-Istisqā’ is a confirmed Sunnah at times of drought and withheld rain, established from the Prophet (peace be upon him)."
url: "https://iqraairtqi.com/en/blogs/fiqh-of-salat-al-istisqa-how-and-rulings"
date: "2026-08-19T07:01:58+00:00"
---
# Fiqh of Salat Al-Istisqa: How and Its Rulings
- 🌧️ **Ṣalāt al-Istisqā’** is a confirmed Sunnah at times of drought and withheld rain, established from the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- 🕌 **Two rak‘ahs** like the ‘Īd prayer (with extra takbīrs according to the majority); people go out to the open prayer ground.
- 📢 It is followed by a **sermon** filled with seeking forgiveness and supplication; turning the cloak is recommended.
- 🤲 Humility is recommended: going out modestly dressed, raising the hands in supplication, and giving charity beforehand.
The Fiqh of Ṣalāt al-Istisqā’: Method and Rulings
-------------------------------------------------
At **Iqraa Irtaqii Academy** we connect students to practical fiqh, including the rain-seeking prayer that Muslims need in seasons of drought.
### Definition and evidence
Istisqā’ means seeking rain from Allah at time of need. It is established in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī that the Prophet (peace be upon him) “went out to the prayer ground and prayed for rain, faced the qiblah, turned his cloak, and prayed two rak‘ahs.”
### How it is performed
IslamWeb’s fatwa section states:
> “Ṣalāt al-Istisqā’ is two rak‘ahs, which the imam prays with the people like the ‘Īd prayer: seven takbīrs in the first and five in the second according to those who hold that view, reciting aloud; then he delivers a single sermon after them, abundant in seeking forgiveness and supplication.”
Some scholars held it is simply two rak‘ahs with no extra takbīrs, like a voluntary prayer. The matter is broad.
### Its Sunnahs and etiquette
- Announcing it a day or two in advance so people prepare with repentance and returning others’ rights.
- Going out to the prayer ground (not the mosque) humbly, in ordinary clothes rather than finery.
- Giving charity, and fasting the preceding days if feasible.
- Turning the cloak during the sermon, in optimism for a change of state.
- Raising the hands high in supplication.
Want to learn the fiqh of prayer and worship with specialist teachers?
[Book a free trial lesson on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/97466657295)
### Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: Is fasting required before Ṣalāt al-Istisqā’?**A: It is not obligatory, but it is recommended for the humility and nearness it brings.
**Q: May one seek rain with supplication alone, without the prayer?**A: Yes; seeking rain through supplication in the Friday sermon and through bare supplication is established, and is its lowest level.
**Q: When is it prayed?**A: Its time is like that of the ‘Īd prayer (after the sun has risen); some permitted it at any time except the forbidden times.