When should the sermon (Khutbah) for the Prayer of Seeking Rain be delivered relative to the prayer?
Chapter on the Prayer for Rain (Istisqa)
Al-Mughni
Book of the Eclipse Prayers (Solar and Lunar)
Primary text
The established view is that the sermon for Salat al-Istisqa occurs after the prayer. This is the position held by Malik, Al-Shafi'i, and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan. Scholars who support this view cite the narration from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed two rak'ahs and then addressed the people. They also cite the narration from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet performed the Istisqa prayer as he performed the two Eid prayers. Furthermore, it is considered a prayer involving takbir, thus resembling the Eid prayer.
Supporting text
A second narration suggests the sermon should be delivered before the prayer. This view is narrated from Umar, Ibn al-Zubayr, Aban ibn Uthman, Hisham ibn Isma'il, and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Hazm. Al-Layth ibn Sa'd and Ibn al-Mundhir also favored this, based on narrations from Anas and Aisha that the Prophet delivered a sermon and then prayed. A third view permits the Imam to choose whether to deliver the sermon before or after the prayer due to conflicting authentic reports. A fourth view states no sermon is required, only supplication and humility, based on Ibn Abbas stating the Prophet did not deliver a sermon like 'your sermon,' implying the core action was supplication.