veiled4allah: prayers for rain to end drought, fires in S. California

The Southern California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called on mosques and Islamic centers across the state to offer prayers for rain following the normal Islamic congregational gatherings on Friday. The Islamic civil rights and advocacy group is also calling on people of all faiths to offer prayers for rain according to their own religious traditions. CAIR-LA initiated the prayer request to provide a spiritual dimension in the efforts to bring California's deadly wildfires under control. The special Islamic prayer, called Salatul Istisqa (sal-at-al-istiska), was performed by the Prophet Muhammad and is traditionally offered during times of drought. California authorities say the months-long drought in that state has contributed greatly to the death and destruction cause by the fires.

In Salatul Istisqa, the Prophet would offer supplications such as: "O God, give us rain that will replenish us, abundant, fertilizing and profitable, not injurious. Grant it now without delay...Send down rain upon us and make it a source of strength and satisfaction...O God, give us a saving rain, good and productive, general and heavy, now and not later, beneficial and not harmful." The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: "O my people! Seek forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance. He will send you from the sky abundant rain." (Quran, 11:52)

"Perhaps this spiritual effort during the blessed month of Ramadan can add to that of the courageous firefighters who place their lives on the line every day," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush.

Ayloush asked that churches and synagogues throughout the state join their Muslim neighbors in praying for rain and urged Muslims to use the month of Ramadan, a time of increased charity and prayers, to help the fire victims by donating generously to the American Red Cross. Go to: http://www.acrossla.org/