Question
In the du’a to recite when it rains, is there a Hadith with the words
اللهُمَّ 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: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar