Is there a wisdom behind the Quran's mention of rain in the context of punishment, and water and ghayth (rainfall, usually beneficial) in the context of goodness and blessing, especially considering the Prophet's—peace and blessings be upon him—saying: "We have been given rain by the grace and mercy of Allah. O Allah, may it be a beneficial rainfall (ghayth)"?

The word "ghaith" (rainfall) is more specific to mercy than the word "matar" (rain), which can be applied to both good and evil, as stated in the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah. The word "matar" may be used for good, as in His Almighty's saying: "And there is no blame upon you if there is harm to you from rain." (Quran 4:102). And it is used for torment, as in His Almighty's saying: "So rain upon us stones from the sky." (Quran 8:32). Scholars have refuted Sufyan ibn Uyaynah's statement that Allah did not name any rain in the Quran except as a punishment, citing the verse from Surat An-Nisa (Chapter of Women) which indicates that rain can be a mercy.