Rain Prayer (Salat al-Istisqa) in Damascus During the Mamluk Era (648-923 AH / 1250-1517 AD)

Abstract

     This research aims to explore the practice of Salat al-Istisqa (rain prayer) in Damascus during the Mamluk era (648-923 AH / 1250-1517 AD). The study is organized into two main sections. The first section provides an overview of the geographical context of Damascus, including its name, location, water sources, and climate, as well as the religious customs and practices of its inhabitants. The second section examines how Salat al-Istisqa was performed in Damascus during the reign of the Bahri and Burji (Circassian) Mamluk dynasties in response to drought conditions, which significantly affected the economic well-being of both the state and the general population.

The research concludes with a summary of key findings, along with a table listing the Mamluk sultans of the Bahri and Burji dynasties, the years in which Salat al-Istisqa was performed, and the frequency of these prayers. This table is intended as a quick reference for researchers interested in the specific years when the rain prayer was conducted.