How can one reconcile the idea that optimism is not intended, with the action of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the prayer for rain (Istisqa'), where he intentionally turned his cloak for optimism?
Some scholars have held that the praiseworthy optimism (tahawwul), Islamically speaking, is conditioned upon not being intended. However, this condition has been countered by the story of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, turning his cloak in the Istisqa' (prayer for rain) out of optimism, a point explicitly stated by the jurists of the different schools of thought.
The view that the reason for turning the cloak was optimism is what Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar and others favored, citing Jabir's narrated by Al-Daraqutni and Al-Hakim: "He turned his cloak so that the drought might turn away."
Therefore, the condition of not intending optimism for its permissibility is a weak opinion.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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