Some narrations suggest that the rain which falls from the sky during this month possesses many benefits and effects. If someone collects a portion of it in a clean container and recites the following surahs and supplications over it, anyone who drinks from this water will be cured of various physical and moral illnesses.
According to some narrations, the rain that falls from the sky in the month of Nisan possesses many benefits and effects. If a person collects some of it in a clean container and recites the following surahs and supplications over it, anyone who drinks this water will be cured of various physical and moral illnesses.
It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) that rainwater is a medicine before it reaches the ground. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 92, p. 15)
It is also narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) that he said: "Gabriel taught me a remedy, such that with it there is no need for any other medicine (meaning it has many benefits)." He was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what is this remedy?"
He replied: "You collect rainwater before it touches the ground, pour it into a clean container, and recite over it Al-Hamdulillah to the end (i.e., Surah Al-Fatiha) seventy times. Then, you drink it every morning and evening in the amount of a sip or a cup. By the One Who sent me with the truth, this remedy causes illness to depart from the body, bones, veins, and vessels."
According to some narrations, the rain that falls in this month has abundant blessings and effects. If one gathers it in a clean container and recites the specific surahs and prayers over it, whoever drinks from it will be relieved of various physical and spiritual ailments. The benefits and blessings mentioned in the narrations are so remarkable that they leave a person in awe.
The most well-known source regarding the benefits of Nisan water is a narration recorded by Sayyid Ibn Tawus (may Allah have mercy on him) in his book Zad al-Ma'ad. This narration is also referenced in the esteemed book Mafatih al-Jinan, and it begins as follows:
“One day, a group of the Prophet’s companions were sitting together. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) entered and greeted them. The companions responded to his greeting. The Prophet said, ‘Shall I teach you a remedy that Gabriel taught me, such that you will not need the medicine of physicians?’
Imam Ali (peace be upon him), Salman, and others asked, ‘What is this remedy?’”
Then, the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught Imam Ali (peace be upon him) how to collect rainwater during the month of Nisan. He also described the properties and benefits of Nisan water as conveyed by Gabriel (peace be upon him).
Healing of physical pains
Treatment of infertility
Relief from headaches
Treatment of eye pain by placing a drop of Nisan water in the eye
Strengthening of the roots of the teeth
Prevention of colds and flu
Prevention of skin diseases
Balancing of temperament (physical and emotional equilibrium)
There are different instructions for collecting this water. We present the version mentioned by the late Mulla Ahmad Naraqi in his book, which was verified by the great scholar Allama Hasan-zadeh Amoli (may Allah preserve him). Numerous narrations support this method.
Method:
During the Roman month of Nisan, collect rainwater before it touches the ground. Recite over it each of the following seven times:
Surah Al-Fatiha
Ayat al-Kursi
Surah Al-Kafiroon
Surah Al-Ala
Surah Al-Falaq
Surah An-Nas
Surah Al-Ikhlas
Then, for seven days, morning and evening, drink from it. Whatever the ailment, Allah will grant healing. If poured into the eyes, it will cure eye illnesses.
If someone in prison drinks from it, they will be freed. It removes heart anxieties and eliminates people's hostility and slander toward the one who drinks it.
The first day of the Roman month of Nisan corresponds approximately to the 24th of Nowruz (Iranian New Year), and Nisan has thirty days.
Sheikh Abbas Qummi, in Mafatih al-Jinan, reports the following from Sayyid Ibn Tawus:
“One day, a group of companions were sitting when the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) entered and greeted them. He said: ‘Shall I teach you a remedy that Gabriel taught me, so you won’t need physicians?’
Imam Ali (peace be upon him), Salman, and others asked: ‘What is this remedy?’”
The Prophet addressed Imam Ali and said:
“In the Roman month of Nisan, collect rainwater, then recite over it:
Surah Al-Fatiha
Ayat al-Kursi
Surah Al-Ikhlas
Surah Al-Falaq
Surah An-Nas
Surah Al-Kafiroon
each seventy times.
In another narration, also include Surah Al-Qadr seventy times, say Allahu Akbar seventy times, La ilaha illa Allah seventy times, and send blessings (salawat) seventy times.
Then, for seven mornings and evenings, drink from the water.
By the One Who sent me with the truth, Gabriel said:
‘God will remove every ailment from the body of anyone who drinks this water, and grant them health. Illnesses will depart from their body and bones. If illness is decreed for them in the Preserved Tablet, it will be erased.’”
He added:
“If someone is childless and drinks it with that intention, they will be granted a child. If a woman is infertile, she will conceive. If a couple desires a son or daughter, they will receive their wish.”
As the Qur’an says:
“He grants to whom He wills [only] daughters, and grants to whom He wills [only] sons, or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren.” (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:49–50)
Relief from headaches
Eye ailments cured by using the water as eye drops
Strengthens teeth and refreshes the mouth
Reduces excess saliva and phlegm
Prevents bloating and indigestion
Protects against colic, back pain, abdominal pain, flu, toothache, stomach issues, worms
Eliminates the need for bloodletting
Heals hemorrhoids, itching, smallpox, insanity, vitiligo, nosebleeds, vomiting
Protects against blindness, muteness, deafness, paralysis
Prevents glaucoma
Keeps one healthy enough to fast and pray properly
Protects against demonic and satanic whispers
The Prophet concluded:
“Gabriel said: Whoever drinks this water will be healed of all afflictions that people suffer from. By the One Who sent you with the truth, wisdom will flow from their tongue, their heart will be filled with understanding and insight, they will be blessed with divine favors not given to anyone else, and they will receive a thousand mercies. Hypocrisy, betrayal, gossip, envy, oppression, arrogance, stinginess, greed, and anger will be removed from their heart. They will be safe from people's hostility and criticism. All their diseases will be cured.”
This famous narration about the benefits of Nisan water is traced back to Abdullah ibn Umar, and therefore, its chain of transmission is weak. However, I have seen it also attributed to Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) with the same benefits, where the recitations include:
Surah Al-Fatiha
Ayat al-Kursi
Surah Al-Kafiroon
Surah Al-Ala
Surah Al-Falaq
Surah An-Nas
Surah Al-Ikhlas
each seventy times, and also:
La ilaha illa Allah seventy times
Allahu Akbar seventy times
Salawat seventy times
Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar — seventy times each
According to this narration, if a prisoner drinks from it, they will be freed. It balances one's temperament and possesses most of the previously mentioned effects.
Rainwater in general is blessed and beneficial, whether during Nisan or otherwise. As reported authentically from Imam Ali (peace be upon him):
“Drink the water of the sky, for it purifies the body and repels disease,” as the Qur'an says:
“And He sent down rain from the sky to purify you with it, remove from you the evil of Satan, strengthen your hearts, and make your steps firm.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:11)
For best results, if a group performs the recitation, each person should complete the entire cycle (seventy times each). This increases the benefit and reward.
These days, the month of Nisan in the Roman calendar begins around the 23rd of Nowruz and lasts thirty days. According to Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), it is also recommended to perform hijamah (cupping therapy) on the 7th or, if not possible, on the 14th of the month of Haziran, which starts around the 84th day after Nowruz. Haziran is considered an inauspicious month.
