What is the meaning of the following Hadith regarding Istisqa (Du’a/Salah seeking water):
فرأيت السحاب يتمزق كأنه الملاء حين تطوى
Answer
This is part of a Hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim. (Hadith: 897).
The Muslims were going through a severe drought. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was requested to make du’a. As soon as he made du’a, they experienced torrential rain. The following week, someone complained that the torrential rain had wreaked havoc and requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to make du’a that Allah withhold the rain. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did so and the rain stopped.
The different versions of the narrations describe the scene when this happened and the rain stopped. The explanation of the version in question is as follows:
“…[When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made du’a that Allah withhold the rain], The narrator says, ‘I saw the clouds disperse and scatter as though it was a [spread out] shawl/sheet being folded away’
(Sahih Muslim with Al Minhaj, Hadith: 2079)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar