Q: Before the true Islamic Call spread in the Kingdom after the reign of Al Sa`ud, some people in our village used to take cows, drive them around mountains and valleys and then slaughter one of them. They would do this as a way of asking for rain. Is this practice permissible?
A: This practice has no root in Shari`ah (Islamic law); rather, it is a rejected Bid`ah (innovation in Islam), for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) did not do it.
The Merciful (i.e. Allah) shows mercy to those who show mercy. Show mercy to those on Earth and the One Who is in Heaven will show mercy to you.
And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope. Surely, Allâh's Mercy is (ever) near unto the gooddoers.
And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful