Anti-Muslim Bigotry

5 Reasons Why Rain Was Not The Only Benefit of Prayers (Salat Ul-Istisqa) in the Bay Area

Published

February 3, 2014

Abu Reem

Social media is abuzz with the large congregational prayers for rain (salat ul-istisqa) held in Bay Area under the patronage of Imam Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, Imam Tahir Anwar and other esteemed scholars.

Most Muslims already know and are greatly pleased by the response from the heavens with rain showers hitting the Bay Area soon after the prayers, and grateful. And there is no doubt that such events help renew faith and trust in power of prayer. However, what we are not talking about enough is a more enduring back-story—Muslims taking center stage in sponsoring an event that affects their entire community, regardless of faith.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP4EbNgQYNE[/youtube]

The prayer for rain was thus inspiring and awesome at the same time for 5 more reasons:

1. United we stand

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What the prayer for rain did was to bring out Muslims in large numbers as a united community, leaving behind the internal politics and squabbles that Muslim organizations and masajid are beset by.

2. Walking the talk dawah

Amazing opportunity for dawah. How may times have we heard that a million speeches and presentations will not have the affect that walking the talk does. Gathering as a community for a cause that affects all the people in the area with no catches, no Muslim cards, no conditions presents Muslims, as truly concerned for humanity- as they should be.

3. Sunnah the way

Salat ul istisqa is an authentic tradition traced to the Prophet and as such practicing a sunnah is reviving the sunnah and reviving the sunnah at such a scale, in a communal manner only increases its affirmation. People can argue about bid’ah all the time, but when you affirm the sunnah, the bid’ah already takes the backseat

4. You have been heard

The obvious reason—rain after salat-ul-istisqa. Believers don’t need evidence for their faith, but believers can only have their faith renewed, refreshed and enhanced by seeing these minor miracles. Even Ibrahim asked his Lord to show him how He brings to life the dead, not because he didn’t believe but to strengthen his faith [Quran 2:260]—the faith of one called “Allah’s close friend”.

5. Not the “other” anymore

In my opinion, this is the most important reason of all: Concern for the larger community, not being unconcerned about the drought-like situation in the area, and not acting like the “other.”

While we have had countless events on issues affecting Muslims around the globe, like Syria, Palestine, etc. (no doubt also important), we have generally been negligent of our responsibilities of giving back to the communities we live in, of remaining as the “others” in the society. As I discussed in my article on cognitive dissonance, the “other paradigm” may be a large cause for the media/public double standards towards Muslims.

What is the “other” paradigm? Acclaimed Muslim intellectual Tariq Ramadan has gone at great lengths describing it, of Muslims’ reliance on an “external” Islam, fraught with cultural baggage, leaves them feeling inadequate in their own faith, leading to alienation from the larger society.

And I argued in that same article, and close this one with the same:

Let there be a “Muslim Charities” working hand in hand with “Catholic Charities”, let there be Muslim mayors, judges and leaders, let there be Muslim CEOs, let there be Muslim Larry Kings and Jon Stewarts, let Muhammad and Aisha be names of men and women who are part of the American fabric at every level and at every rung. Only then will we stop being the “other”…

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Abu Reem

Abu Reem is one of the founders of MuslimMatters, Inc. His identity is shaped by his religion (Islam), place of birth (Pakistan), and nationality (American). By education, he is a ChemE, topped off with an MBA from Wharton. He has been involved with Texas Dawah, Clear Lake Islamic Center and MSA. His interests include politics, cricket, and media interactions. Career-wise, Abu Reem is in management in the oil & gas industry (but one who still appreciates the "green revolution").

14 Comments

Ibn Percy

February 3, 2014 at 3:21 PM

God is greater! It is wonderful to see this prayer on such a large scale. I have read about it but never participated in it as there was never a need in the locality where I live, but to see it in action and the rewards is amazing.

Reply
- Amad
  
  February 4, 2014 at 3:20 AM
  
  This happened in Doha, Qatar as well recently. There were prayers in schools and mosques. Results were similar in that it rained.
  
  Reply
Rawa Muhsin

February 3, 2014 at 3:26 PM

Very nice masha’Allah.

I am really pleased by this. I hope Muslims start engaging in more activities like this besides doing oral da’wah.

Reply
umm_moussa

February 3, 2014 at 5:23 PM

Those who doesn’t live here can’t fathom the dire need of rain on california subhanallah. Last time we had drought that lasted for 20 years ! this time its supposed to be worse ! I am so glad that you did the prayer , I wish every where in california they would keep doing it . It is so important. Already the state are getting ready to conserve , all the food and specially water prices will soar soon , hundreds of farming are cut from water supply as each county embrace to conserve water to their community. the LA county has reserved water, the amount is equivalent to the water inn an olympic swimming pool . I am honored & humbled that Allah has responded to us sinners.

Reply
Jon Solis

February 3, 2014 at 10:56 PM

I will play a little “devil’s advocate” here. The formula you seem to be proposing is: Group prayer for rain. Rain comes. Faith in prayer is increased. What really happened here was that a group of people praying “beat the odds.” The likely result of this is that there will be more similar activities of group prayer for rather insignificant causes. When those prayers are not answered, will faith then be similarly decreased? I am reminded of the “psychic” Jeane Dixon who made hundreds of whacky predictions. One comes true and she is lauded as a great prognosticator, with everyone forgetting all the predictions that did not come true. Do we really wish to link our faith to the results of public prayers?

Reply
- Abu Asiyah
  
  February 4, 2014 at 12:19 AM
  
  1) Prayer for rain is an established sunnah. It’s not insignificant.
  
  2) Allah is the Knower of everything. He knows what we need, He knows what we want to ask and what we will ask. As such, prayer is an expression of our need and a way to make our hearts realize the reality which is that all is subservient to Him, including rain.
  
  3) Allah is powerful of everything. Did He send the rain, regardless of whether people prayed or not? Yes, He did. Did He allow the gathering of people to pray for rain? Yes, He did. As such, is it possible that the two are linked? Obviously, yes.
  
  4) Nobody’s linking faith to results of public prayers; however, everything is a sign for a believer. If this is a means for strengthening one’s iman, then why not.
  
  Reply
- Shireen
  
  February 4, 2014 at 3:18 AM
  
  – This tradition of group prayer is SPECIFICALLY for rain and it was established and prescribed by Prophet Mohammed and it is’nt something new that was invented recently by a random group of muslims.
  It is only performed in the case of a drought and not for any other purpose.
  
  – Either you believe in miracles or you dont!
  – For believers in the power of God Allmighty, , EVERYTHING is a miracle. Not just rain after a group prayer..
  A childbirth for example. When a person holds his newborn child in his arms for the first time he will either think ” Wow! Nothing went wrong although so many things could’ve and here is this beautiful, perfect child! It’s a miracle! ”
  Or he could think ” I just got lucky!! This perfect ,cute kid is MINE!” .
  
  Even if something goes wrong or does’nt work out , believers KNOW that THIS was God’s original plan and whatever BAD happens , is not because SOMETHING WENT WRONG, but because it was MEANT to go wrong for a reason and ultimately that it is for something good.
  
  Whereas a non-believer will just have to say “Tough luck” !
  
  Muslims believe that prayers are never wasted . One of 3 things happen :
  1. They either get answered.
  2. God removes some other difficulty from your path in this life.
  3. You are compensated for unanswered prayers in the next life.
  
  So it’s true we pray all the time, individually and in groups , ONLY because there is nothing or nobody that can help us with any significant or insignificant thing, except God Allmighty.
  
  Not just the rain after a group prayer.
  
  For a non-believer NOTHING is a miracle. It’s just “beating the odds”.
  He will dismiss every miracle , small or big that he experiences as just a matter of chance.
  
  Reply
- Amad
  
  February 4, 2014 at 3:19 AM
  
  Jon,
  this is a matter of faith, not as much of logic.
  
  And the crux of this article is about other social matters, not about the prayers being answered.
  
  Reply
- Ridhwaan
  
  November 8, 2015 at 10:12 AM
  
  We believe our success is in carrying out the command of Allah as shown to us by the prophet Muhammed (saw).By merely carrying out the command we have attained success.
  
  Reply
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Juma Mohamed Mtema

February 11, 2014 at 2:34 AM

This is the fact that even as individual and you are Good Player and attend all sessions of Salat and Good deeds and dont leave behind Zakat and Sadaqa surely you will notice in very short time mirracles from Allah! Subhannah Allah! Allah Akber

Reply
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Zia-e-Taiba

October 18, 2016 at 2:28 AM

Nice Article! Please keep it up.

Reply