The etymological composition of the word istighathah is based on the three
letters: ghayn, waw and tha (ghawth), which means help.
Istighathah means "to seek help". Imam Raghib Asfahani explains its meaning
in these words:
Ghawth means help and ghayth means rain, and istighathah
means to call someone for help or to request (Allah) for
rain.[4]
The word istighathah has been used in the holy Qur’an in various contexts.
During the battle of Badr the Companions beseeched Allah’s help which is
explicitly referred to in surah al-Anfal:
When you were beseeching your Lord (for help).[5]
A follower of Musa (as) asked him for help and the help he extended to him is also
explained in the holy Qur’an in conjunction with the word istighathah.
Allah says in surah al-Qasas:
So the person who was of his very community sought his help against another
person who was from among his foes.[6]
The lexicologists believe that the words istighathah and isti‘anat
both mean “to seek help”. Imam Raghib Asfahani says:
The meaning of "isti‘anat" is to seek help.[7]
The word isti‘anat is also used in the holy Qur’an in a similar sense, that
is, to seek help. In surah al-Fatihah, the Qur’an declares while grooming
the followers in the etiquette of supplication:
