Turning the cloak is done during the sermon when the imam turns his cloak

Q: The brother A. A. from Al-Khabar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia says in his question: I saw in one of the mosques before the prayer for rain a student of knowledge wearing his cloak turned inside out. After the prayer, I asked him the reason for that, because what I know is that the cloak is turned after the prayer and sermon are finished. He said: There is nothing wrong with that, and I turned it before the prayer so that when I turn it back, it will be in the proper direction. What is your opinion, Your Eminence, about his action? Please issue a ruling, may Allah reward you with good.

A: The apparent meaning of the hadiths narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the prayer for rain is that the cloak remains in its usual state, and it is only turned during the sermon when the imam turns his cloak.
As for turning the cloak or abaya from its state before that, the most apparent view is that it is not prescribed and contradicts the Sunnah. May Allah guide them all.