and using the siwak (toothstick) and whatever removes odors. It is recommended that all people go out, especially those who are known for their religiousness, modesty, and righteousness; the elderly are even more encouraged to go out, for that is more conducive to the response of supplication. As for women, there is no harm in elderly women going out, as well as those who are not objects of attraction. As for young women and those who possess physical appeal, it is not recommended for them to go out, because the harm in their going out outweighs the benefit. It is not recommended to bring out animals, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not do so. When the Imam intends to go out, it is recommended that he set a day for the people to go out, and that he command them to repent from sins, to resolve grievances, to fast, to give charity, and to abandon mutual hatred, so that it may be closer to having their supplications answered. Indeed, sins are a cause of drought, and obedience is a cause for blessings, as Allah the Almighty said: "And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning." (6).

323 - Issue; he said: "And he prays two rak'ahs with them."

We do not know of any disagreement among those who advocate for the prayer for rain that it consists of two rak'ahs. However, the report differs regarding its format. It has been narrated that he recites the takbir (magnifying Allah) in them like the takbir of 'Eid—seven in the first and five in the second. This is the opinion of Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab, 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn 'Amr ibn Hazm, Dawud, and al-Shafi'i. It was also narrated from Ibn 'Abbas, based on the statement of Ibn 'Abbas in his hadith: "And he prayed two rak'ahs, as he used to pray on the day of 'Eid." Ja'far ibn Muhammad narrated from his father that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Abu Bakr, and 'Umar used to perform the prayer for rain by reciting seven and five takbirs (1). The second report is that he prays two rak'ahs like a voluntary prayer. This is the school of Malik, al-Awza'i, Abu Thawr, and Ishaq, because 'Abd Allah ibn Zayd said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sought rain, so he prayed two rak'ahs and turned his cloak inside out. Agreed upon (2). And Abu...