Praying for rain and forgiveness are ways in which to draw a believer closer to God, as asking for His forgiveness is also a way to receive God’s blessings, mosque-goers will be told on Friday.
The imam recalled the story of Noah in the Quran where God said: “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers and give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers”. (Noah: 10-12)
Asking for forgiveness and repenting is a way for God to alleviate the believer’s sorrows and shows mercy on those who need help such as sending them rain and bountiful harvests.
Rain is decided by God as is evidenced in the Quran: “And it is He who sends down the rain after they had despaired and spreads His mercy. And He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy”. (Ash-Shoura: 28)
The faithful will hear that God responds to those who have a connection with Him and will bless those around Him with it.
The imam recalled a story of a Bedouin who came to the Prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Our possessions are being destroyed and the children are hungry; please invoke Allah (for rain)”.
It was told that the Prophet raised his hands in the Sky and clouds materialised raining soon after.
However, the same Bedouin came back and said: “O Allah’s Messenger! The houses have collapsed, our possessions and livestock have been drowned; please invoke Allah (to protect us).”
So the Prophet raised both his hands and said, “O Allah! Round about us and not on us.” So, in whatever direction he pointed with his hands, the clouds dispersed and cleared away.
The imam said that this incident teaches us that we should seek refuge with God at times of hardship.
The Quran said “is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil?” (An-Naml: 62)
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