Question 164: I’ve heard hadiths that when it rains that it’s the best time to make duaa because Allah swt has bestowed his mercy on mankind and the sky is open as well. Is that the same for when it snows? So, is that true that one of the Best times to make Dua is when it rains?
Answer 164: Dua or supplication is a relationship out of need between the servant and his lord, for worldly and otherworldly needs. Just like every other phenomenon, the answering of one’s supplication has conditions and formalities that when met and observed, will result in the answering of the dua, and in the case of the dua lacking them, or in the case of other barriers not allowing the dua to be answered that we aren’t aware of, even the best duas known for being answered quickly and certainly can be ineffective.
There have been mentioned some certain recommendations in religious teachings by which our dua would be granted by Allah, the Almighty. Moreover, it is more emphasized to make dua at some certain times and places.
One of the times on which we are supposed to make dua is when it rains. The general reason why we are recommended to make dua in this state is that the rain is a sign of Allah’s blessings and when the doors of such blessings are opened we can have hope in accepting our duas.
Those verses and traditions in which we are recommended to make dua are as follows:
The Holy Quran:
Allah (SWT) says: “And He it is Who sends the winds as good news before His mercy And We send down pure water from the cloud”.[1]
“وَ هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ الرِّياحَ بُشْراً بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَحْمَتِهِ وَ أَنْزَلْنا مِنَ السَّماءِ ماءً طَهُورا”
There is a tradition in which Imam Sadiq (as) has interpreted this verse of the Holy Quran from His Father Imam Ali (as), as follows:
When the rain was coming down for the first time of each year Imam Ali (as) stood under the rain until His head and beards become wet. Whenever He is asked to go under an awning in order to avoid getting wet from the rain, he says: this is the water that it closes to the Arsh of Allah.[2]
The Arabic version of this Hadith is as follows:
” محمد بن يعقوب: عن علي بن إبراهيم، عن هارون بن مسلم، عن مسعدة بن صدقة، عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال: «كان علي (عليه السلام) يقوم في المطر أول ما تمطر حتى يبتل رأسه و لحيته و ثيابه. فقيل له: يا أمير المؤمنين، الكن الكن. فقال: إن هذا ماء قريب عهد بالعرش”
Allah, the Almighty also says: “And one of His signs is that He sends forth the winds bearing good news, and that He may make you taste of his mercy, and that the ships may run by His command, and that you may seek of His grace, and that you may be grateful”.[3]
وَ مِنْ آياتِهِ أَنْ يُرْسِلَ الرِّياحَ مُبَشِّراتٍ وَ لِيُذيقَكُمْ مِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ
According to interpreters of the Holy Quran, the word “mobashsherâte” means sending down water.[4]
Traditions:
- Imam Sadiq (as) has said: At four times you are supposed to make dua: 1) When The Wind is Blowing. 2) When declining shadows (which is called canonical dhuhr). 3) When sending water down. 4) When the first drop of a martyrs blood is shed. Because, the doors of the sky are open in these states.[5]
- Imam Sadiq (as) has narrated from Imam Ali (as) as He says: Try to make dua on the following four times: 1) while reciting the Holy Quran. 2) when reciting Adhan. 3) When sending water down. 4) when two armies stand facing each other for the Jihad.[6]
- Imam Ali (as) has said: there are five certain times, for making dua, you are supposed to take them into consideration: 1) while reciting the Holy Quran. 2) at the time of Adhan. 3) When sending water down own from the sky. 4) when two armies stand facing each other for Jihad. 5) when an oppressed person is making dua. In these states the Hijab of the Arsh of Allah would be removed.[7]
- Imam Sadiq (as) has said: Meanwhile, Amir al-Momeneen (as) has been teaching His followers, He also says: the doors of the sky will be opened at five moments: When sending water down, while fighting enemies, when reciting Adhan, when reciting the Holy Quran, at the beginning of noon, when dawn arrives.[8]
- Imam Sadiq (as) has said: there are three times in which no hijab and obstacle are available from accepting our dua by Allah, as follows: 1) Making dua after an obligatory prayer. 2) When sending water down. 3) Appearing a sign of Allah’s Power in the earth that is contrary to the nature.[9]
Note: Although, I didn’t see any reliable hadith in which mentioned when the snow is falling down you are supposed to make dua, but as it is one of the blessings of Allah (SWT) which coming down from the sky, and when the sky is open making dua will be accepted by Allah, the Almighty. In sha Allah.
The Important thing should be taken into consideration is that Allah, the Almighty answers prayers of those who call on Him anytime, as in the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says: “And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me So they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way”.[10] Wallahu‘ a’alam.
For further information in this regards, please refer to the following answers:
Index: Definition of Dua, Means and Intercession, answer 148.
Index: Evaluating the chain of narration of Dua Muqatil bin Sulaiman, answer 150.
Index: Reciting Dua or Dikr in any language during the Prayer, answer 579.
Index: Tawassul: Seeking one’s need from someone other than Allah, answer 005.
Index: Intercession and calling Imam Musa al Kadhim Bab al Hawaij, answer 159.
[1] . Surah Al-Furqan, verse 48.
[2] . Bahrani, Sayyid Hashem, al-Burhan fee Tafsir al-Quran, Vol. 3, Pg. 337, Bonyad Be’that, Tehran, 1416 A.H.
[3] . Surah al-Room, verse 46.
[4] . Tabarsim Fadl bin Hasan, Majma al-Bayan fee Tafsir al-Quran, Vol. 8, Pg. 483, Naser Khosrow Publication, Tehran, 1993.
[5] . Kuleini, Muhammad bin Yaqoub, al-Kafi, Vol. 2, Pg. 476, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyah, Tehran 1986; Adab Raz wa Niyaz be Dargah Biniyaz (translation of Iddat al-Daaee), Pg. 81.
[6] . Ibid, Pg. 477.
[7] . Sheikh Sadouq, al-Amali, Pg. 110, Ketabkhneh Islamiyah Publication, 1983.
[8] . Sheikh Sadouq, al-Khisal, Vol. 1, Pg. 303, Jamea Mudarreseen Publication, Qom 1403 A.H.
[9] . Sheikh Tousi, al-Amali, Pg. 280, Dar al-Thiqafa Publication, Qom, 1414 A.H.
[10] . Surah Baqarah, verse 186.