A severe drought once struck Makkah Mukarramah. The people pleaded with Abu Taalib to make du‘aa for rain. Accompanied by a group of people, Abu Taalib took Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and set out for the Haram. Abu Taalib then positioned Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) back against the Ka‘bah (so that through the medium of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), who stands with his back before the house of Allah Ta‘ala, they could seek the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala and beg Him for rain).

As a gesture of humble supplication, Abu Taalib thereafter pointed his index finger to the sky. There was not a trace of cloud in the sky. However, the moment he pointed to the sky, clouds suddenly gathered from every direction. It then rained to such an extent that the rivers and streams began gushing with water. It was in reference to this that Abu Taalib mentioned:

وأبيض يستسقى الغمام بوجهه     ثمال اليتامى عصمة للأرامل

“He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is so illuminated, that through his blessed face, rain is sought from Allah Ta‘ala. He is a sanctuary for the orphans and a refuge for the widows.”

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/87-88)