Rain prayers to be held in UAE on Friday

• On Friday, rain prayers are to be conducted in UAE mosques.
• President Sheikh Khalifa announced on November 7 that the prayers, known as Salaat Al Istisqaa, would be held in all mosques across the country on November 12.
• Ten minutes before Friday prayers, he urged people to pray in accordance with the sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed, asking Allah to shower the country with mercy and rain.
• According to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammed, when rain is postponed, the head of a state must give an order for the prayers to be performed. The president or one of his representatives participates in the official prayer.
• The head of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, urged worshipers to follow all Covid safety procedures while offering the prayer. Among them are wearing masks and keeping a safe social distance.
• The beginning of the weekend is expected to be fair with occasional periods of partial cloudiness, according to forecasters.
• There may be a chance of mist in the west during the evening and Saturday morning. In the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, winds will be light to moderate, and sea conditions will be moderate.
• Other Gulf nations also witness Salat Al Istisqaa.

Rain prayers to be held in UAE on Friday

Last year the rain prayers were held on November 12. The prayers were held in accordance with the Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) custom of asking for rain blessings for the land.

Similar to the prayers for Eid, Salat Al Istisqa is offered. The first rakaat begins with 7 takbeerat, and after rising from the prostration, the second rakat will begin with 5 takbeerat.

Sheikh Khalifa encouraged praying to God to grant the nation and its citizens rain, mercy, and abundance. In accordance with the sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), he also urged the populace to pray to Allah to grant the country rain and mercy.

His Majesty Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, a member of the Supreme Council and the ruler of Umm Al Quwain, prayed for rain  at his mosque.

Due to the absence of an Azaan call for the prayer, worshippers arrived at the mosques earlier to offer Salat Al Istisqaa.

The sermon for rain prayer is read out by the Imams (clerics), who direct the prayer, rather than walking to the mosque to hear the Friday sermon.

The priests and worshipers implore Allah to shower the United Arab Emirates with mercy and rain, and they beseech the Almighty Allah to grant their requests.

The Imams in the mosques also exhorted the believers to seek Allah's forgiveness. Ten minutes prior to the Friday prayer, the rain prayers were held.

The Friday sermon was given after the Salaat Al Istisqaa was finished.  Salaat Al Istisqaa is a prayer offered by Muslims all over the world to Allah Almighty in order to ask for rain.