Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 472

Selections from The Sayings and Preaching of Amir al-Muminin Ali ibn Abi Talib (Peace Be Upon Him) Including His Replies to Questions and Maxims Expressed for Various Purposes.
Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza

وقال عليه السلام في دعاء استسقى به:

Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said in his prayer for seeking rain:

اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِنَا ذُلُلَ السَّحَابِ دُونَ صِعَابِهَا.

O My God, send us rain by submissive clouds not by unruly ones.

قال الرضي: وهذا من الكلام العجيب الفصاحة، وذلك أنه عليه السلام شبّه السحاب ذوات الرُّعود والبوارق والرياح والصواعق بالاِبل الصّعاب التي تَقْمُصُ برحالها وتقِصُّ بركبانها، وشبّه السحاب خاليةً من تلك الروائع بالاِبل الذُّلُلِ التي تُحْتَلَبُ طَيِّعَةً‌ وتُقْتَعَدُ مُسْمِحَةً.

As-Sayyid ar-Radi says: This is an expression of wonderful eloquence, because Amir al-mu’minin, peace be upon him, has likened the cloud which is accompanied by thunder, lighting, wind and flashes with unruly camels who throw away their saddles and throw down their riders, and likened the clouds free from these terrible things to the submissive camels which are easy to milk and obedient to ride.