Drought is a natural calamity which when it befalls causes undue hardships and disaster to all living matter. It is for this reason, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) made it a custom on the Ummah to resort to this prayer whenever affected by this calamity and seek the mercy and grace of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) to shower on them His bounty of rain.
This prayer is performed similar to the 'Id (Feast) prayers in all respects. It may be performed anytime during the daylight except those times when the performance of voluntary prayers is prohibited. Muslim scholars are largely of the opinion that the best time for its performance is the same time for the performance of the 'Id prayers i.e. after about twenty (20) minutes from clear sunrise.
In the sermon at the end of the prayer, the Imam (leader) will exhort the congregation of the need to repent and return to Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) pointing out that the lack of rain is the result of the sins of mankind.
The Imam would thereafter raise his hands In prayer and the congregation would also do the same. It is confirmed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to raise his hands in prayer until his armpits appeared. While in this situation, the Imam and the congregation are required to invoke Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) as much as possible and call upon Him for forgiveness and to shower on them His bounties. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) says in the Holy Qur'an:� ... ask forgiveness from your Lord, for He is Oft-forgiving, He will send rain to you in abundance� (Qur'an 71: 10-11).
Note: It is desirable that the head of the Muslim state or his representative gives prior notice to the Muslim community of the need to perform "Salatul-Istisqua" at a certain future date. This is to enable as large a congregation as is possible to attend the prayer.
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