Question

In the du’a to recite when it rains, is there a Hadith with the words

اللّٰهُمَّ سَيْبًا نَافِعًا

Allahumma sayban nafi’a (with a س)

Answer

Yes. Imam Ibn Majah, Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah, Imam Nasai and other Muhaddithun have recorded this version of the du’a.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3889, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 29833 and As Sunanul Kubra, Hadith: 1842)

Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah (hafizahullah) has graded the Hadith authentic (sahih).

(Annotations on Musannaf, Hadith: 29833)

Translation for the version in question:

O Allah, let it be a beneficial downpour.

See here for the reference of the popular version of this du’a, “اللَّهُمَّ صَيِّبًا نَافِعًا” (with a ص)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar