Namaz-e-Istasqa to be offered across Pakistan on Friday

Salatul-Istasqa is a prayer performed in supplication to Allah for Rain. If there is a shortage of water causing drought, low levels of water in the streams and wells and help in extinguishing bushfires.

Pakistan is currently facing dry weather with no rains in the winter season so far. The caretaker government in this context has decided to offer Namaz-e-Istasqa on January 26 across Pakistan.

Chairman Ulema Council Maulana Tahir Ashrafi made the announcement in a press conference on Monday. He added that Pakistan was looking at a drought if rains did not come soon.

He added that the prayers also have to be offered to ask forgiveness from the almighty God.

The method of performing the prayer for seeking rain (Istasqa) is that the Imam, after being appointed, leads all the people on a designated day to a field or an open space with utmost humility and submission.

In this prayer, two Rakat Nafl prayers are offered in the congregation, without any call to prayer (Adhan).

It is established from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that in the first unit, Surah Al-A'la is recited, and in the second unit, Surah Al-Ghashiyah is recited aloud.

After the prayer, the Imam delivers a sermon, and then, facing the Qiblah, unfolds a cloth and stands, making a special supplication for rain, while the congregation says 'Ameen.' In this supplication, the congregation raises their hands towards the sky.