Imam Reza’s rain prayer represented by Iranian painter

The story of the rain prayer by Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam, has been portrayed in a new painting by Iranian artist Hassan Rouholamin.

The painting named ‘The Rain Prayer’ was unveiled at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in the Iranian city of Mashhad as part of the Imam’s birthday celebration.

The oil painting shows Imam Reza (AS) on a rock with people around him praying for rain. 

The story of the rain prayer goes back to the time when Mamun, the Abbasid caliph, appointed Imam Reza (AS) as the successor to his throne. 

Following Imam Reza’s (AS) appointment, the Khorasan region was hit by severe drought. This made Imam’s opponents blame Mamun for his choice, saying that no more rain has been sent down to us from the sky since Ali ibn Musa al-Reza has been selected as the crown prince.

Mamun, who was informed about what was going on, asked Imam Reza (AS) to hold a prayer for rain, so the Imam along with a group of people left the city to hold a rain prayer in the desert. Following their return to their homes, rain began to pour down. 

Previously, the story of the rain prayer has been portrayed by several other Iranian artists, including Ameneh Badrossama and Saeed Abbasi.

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