The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) has called on all Muslims in Qatar to perform a rain-prayer (Salat al-Istisqa), on Thursday as the nation faces a spell of dry weather.
The prayer, a practice deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, will take place at 6:04am in 124 mosques and prayer grounds across the country. It dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who led such prayers to seek divine relief during dry seasons.
The ritual is a spiritual means of invoking rain and is often performed collectively when rainfall is delayed, reflecting a broader cultural and religious approach to coping with environmental hardship.
An Awqaf statement Wednesday urged Muslims to approach the prayer with humility and reminded them of several acts believed to bring about divine acceptance of prayer including sincere repentance, restitution of rights, fasting and giving charity. The statement cited Qur'anic verses and a hadith that emphasise the virtue of fasting and charity, advising participants to avoid adornment, wear simple clothing, and demonstrate modesty and spiritual need before God.
