UAE to hold rain prayers on Friday as wet weather expected
President Sheikh Mohamed has called on UAE residents to perform Salaat Al Istisqaa , the Islamic prayer for rain. This special congregational prayer will be held at mosques across the UAE on Friday. Worshippers are encouraged to join in to seek divine mercy and blessings for the country. The prayer will begin half an hour before the weekly Jumuah prayers at 12.45pm. This year, the UAE witnessed…
President Sheikh Mohamed has urged UAE citizens to partake in Salaat Al Istisqaa, the Islamic rain prayer, on Friday. This communal prayer will take place in mosques nationwide, encouraging worshippers to seek Allah's mercy and blessings for the nation. The ceremony kicks off 30 minutes prior to the regular Jumuah prayers at 12:45 pm.
Despite scattered rains this year, most regions in the UAE remained dry. Rainfall, crucial for agriculture, remains scarce in certain parts of the Middle East. In 2025, UAE's total rainfall fell about 38% short of the historical average and almost threefold less than in 2024.
Salaat Al Istisqaa adheres to practices and teachings of Prophet Mohammed. Unlike regular prayers, it does not feature the adhan or iqamah. Early arrivals can perform additional voluntary prayers before or after the main event. The two-rak'ah prayer concludes with the imam delivering a sermon from the ground, embodying humility. He then faces the qibla, raises hands in supplication, asking Allah to send rain.
A unique aspect of Salaat Al Istisqaa is the imam's cloak. Following the sermon, the imam turns his cloak inside out, symbolizing the hope that Allah will turn adversity into ease and bring rain after drought. This gesture, coupled with hands raised in supplication, concludes the prayer. As the UAE braces for potential rain, locals are encouraged to join the Friday prayer, hoping for the much-needed rainfall.
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