وَيُسَبِّحُ ٱلرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِۦ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلصَّوَٰعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُمْ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْمِحَالِ 13
Translations
And the thunder exalts [Allāh] with praise of Him - and the angels [as well] from fear of Him - and He sends thunderbolts and strikes therewith whom He wills while they dispute about Allāh; and He is severe in assault.
Transliteration
Wa yusubbihu ar-ra'du bi-hamdih wa al-mala'ikatu min khifatihi wa yursilu as-sawa'iqa fa-yusibu biha man yasha'u wa hum yujaadilun fi-Allah wa huwa shadidu al-mihal
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how thunder glorifies Allah with His praise, and the angels fear Him from His might, while He sends forth the thunderbolt to strike whomever He wills—even as the disputants argue about Allah. Ibn Kathir notes that the thunder's glorification is understood as a natural manifestation of divine power, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the angels' fear reflects their awe of Allah's majesty and power. The ayah contrasts the obedience of creation (thunder and angels) with the arrogance of those who dispute about Allah's existence or attributes, demonstrating that all creation submits to the Divine Will except those who stubbornly reject the truth.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Ra'd is Medinan and addresses both believers and disbelievers. This ayah appears in a passage rebuking those who deny Allah's signs and dispute about His existence and unity. The reference to thunder and lightning serves as a powerful natural sign (ayah) of Allah's power that should convince the heedless, yet they persist in argumentation despite such clear evidence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'When you hear the sound of thunder, stop talking, for it is an angel driving the clouds' (Musnad Ahmad and other sources). Additionally, the Prophet advised seeking refuge from thunder and its effects: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of this thunder' (Sunan Ibn Majah).
Themes
Key Lesson
While all creation—thunder, lightning, and angels—submits in obedience and fear to Allah's majesty, humans who possess reason often arrogantly dispute about Allah's existence and attributes. This should inspire believers to recognize divine signs in nature and submit to Allah's will with humility, rather than engaging in fruitless argumentation that distances the soul from truth.