Can You Make the Prayer for Rain (Salat al-Istisqa’) for a Country You Don’t Live In?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Can salatul-istisqa be made for a country one does not reside in? For example, a person in Canada making a prayer for Somalia.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

In the Hanafi school, the Prayer for Rain (salat al-istisqa’) is primarily supplication (du’a) and seeking forgiveness (istighfar), while voluntary prayer is also allowed. [Maydani/Quduri, Lubab Sharh al-Kitab]

I see no reason why it couldn’t be done for another Muslim land, and Allah knows best.

wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani