Explore Surah 13: Ar-Ra’d (The Thunder) with full text and commentary. Discover its themes of divine power, guidance, patience, and the signs of Allah in creation.
Surah 13: Ar-Ra’d (The Thunder)
Introduction
Surah Ar-Ra’d, which means ‘The Thunder’, is the 13th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. Its name is taken from verse 13, where thunder is mentioned as glorifying Allah. The Surah was mainly revealed in Makkah, though a few of its verses may have been revealed in Madinah. It contains 43 verses and deals with deep spiritual truths, the signs of Allah in nature, and the struggle between belief and disbelief.
The Surah opens by affirming that the Qur’an is the truth sent down by Allah, even though many people deny it. It points to the creation of the heavens without pillars, the movement of the sun and moon, the growth of fruits and crops, and the thunder in the sky as clear signs of Allah’s power and wisdom. These natural phenomena serve as reminders that all creation submits to Allah, whether willingly or not.
The Surah strongly contrasts those who believe with those who reject faith. Believers are described as people who keep their promises, stay patient, maintain family ties, and find peace in remembering Allah. In contrast, disbelievers are described as those who cut what Allah has commanded to be joined, spread corruption, and deny the truth even when signs are clear. They are warned of severe punishment, both in this life and the next.
It also explains that real change begins within a person or a society—Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is within themselves. The Surah encourages self-reflection, faith, and patience. It teaches that Allah is fully aware of all things, including what is hidden in hearts or whispered in private. His knowledge covers all, and He alone determines destiny.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reassured in this Surah. Although many deny him and demand miracles, his task is only to convey the message clearly. The outcome rests with Allah. Just as earlier messengers were mocked, he is reminded to stay patient and trust in Allah’s final judgment.
Surah Ar-Ra’d is a powerful reminder of Allah’s control over the universe, His justice, and the truth of the Qur’an. It gives strength and hope to the believers, calling them to remain firm in faith, and warns the disbelievers of the consequences of turning away from divine guidance.
Surah 13: Ar-Ra’d (The Thunder): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1. Alif. Lam. Meem. Ra. These are the verses of the Book. What has been sent down to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.
2. It is Allah who raised the heavens without pillars that you can see. Then He established Himself on the Throne. He made the sun and the moon subservient, each running for an appointed time. He manages all matters and explains the signs clearly so that you may be certain of meeting your Lord.
3. And He is the One who spread out the earth and placed firm mountains and rivers on it. He made every kind of fruit in pairs. He covers the day with the night. Surely, in these things are signs for people who reflect.
4. And on the earth are plots of land next to each other, and vineyards, and crops, and palm trees—some growing from a single root and others not. They are all watered with the same water, yet We make some better in taste than others. Indeed, in this are signs for people who use their minds.
5. If you are surprised, then what is truly surprising is their saying: “When we have turned to dust, will we really be created again?” These are the ones who disbelieve in their Lord. They will have chains around their necks, and they will be the people of the Fire. They will live there forever.
6. They ask you to bring evil upon them before good, even though many examples of punishment have already come before them. Surely, your Lord is full of forgiveness for people, despite their wrongdoing, but your Lord is also severe in punishment.
7. The disbelievers say, “Why has no sign been sent down to him from his Lord?” But you are only a warner, and for every people there is a guide.
8. Allah knows what every female carries, what the wombs lose or increase. Everything with Him is according to a perfect measure.
9. He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Great and the Most High.
10. It is the same whether any of you speak in secret or out loud, whether one hides in the night or moves freely in the day.
11. For each person there are angels in succession, in front of him and behind him. They guard him by Allah’s command. Surely, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves. But when Allah wills to bring harm to a people, no one can stop it, and they have no protector besides Him.
12. It is He who shows you the lightning, giving you both fear and hope, and it is He who forms the heavy clouds.
13. The thunder praises Him with His praise, as do the angels out of fear of Him. He sends thunderbolts and strikes with them whom He wills. Yet they argue about Allah, even though He is mighty in power.
14. The call to Him alone is the truth. But those whom they call on besides Him never answer them in any way—just like someone stretching out his hands towards water, asking it to reach his mouth, but it never will. The prayer of the disbelievers is nothing but in vain.
15. And to Allah prostrates everything in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, as do their shadows in the mornings and evenings.
16. Say: “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” Say: “It is Allah.” Say: “Then why do you take others besides Him as protectors—those who cannot benefit or harm themselves?” Say: “Can the blind and the one who sees be equal? Or can darkness and light be the same?” Or do they claim partners with Allah who created like His creation, so that the two creations appear the same to them? Say: “Allah is the Creator of everything. He is the One, the Supreme.”
17. He sends down water from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, and the torrent carries rising foam. And from what they melt in the fire—such as gold or silver—there is a similar foam. Thus Allah gives a parable: the useless foam vanishes, but what benefits people stays on the earth. This is how Allah explains examples.
18. Those who answer their Lord will have the best reward. But those who do not respond to Him—even if they had everything on earth and more like it—they would offer it as ransom. They will have a terrible reckoning, and their home will be Hell—what a miserable place to rest!
19. Can the one who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth be like someone who is blind? Only people with understanding take heed.
20. They are those who fulfill their promise to Allah and do not break their agreements.
21. They keep together what Allah has commanded to be joined, and they fear their Lord and dread the hardship of the Final Account.
22. They are patient, seeking the face of their Lord. They establish prayer, spend from what We have provided them—secretly and openly—and they repel evil with good. For such people is the best outcome—
23. Gardens of eternal residence. They will enter them along with the righteous among their parents, spouses, and children. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, saying:
24. “Peace be upon you for your patience. How wonderful is the final home!”
25. But those who break their promise to Allah after committing to it, and who cut what Allah has ordered to be joined, and who spread corruption on earth—those will be cursed, and they will have the worst home.
26. Allah gives abundant provision to whom He wills, and restricts it for whom He wills. The disbelievers rejoice in this worldly life, but the life of this world is nothing compared to the Hereafter—just temporary enjoyment.
27. The disbelievers say, “Why has no miraculous sign been sent down to him from his Lord?” Say: “Surely, Allah leaves to stray whomever He wills, and guides to Himself those who turn to Him—
28. Those who believe, and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allah. Truly, in the remembrance of Allah, hearts find peace.”
29. Those who believe and do good deeds will have bliss and a beautiful return.
30. So We have sent you to a community before whom other nations have passed away, so that you may recite to them what We have revealed to you. But they disbelieve in the Most Merciful. Say: “He is my Lord. There is no god but Him. In Him I place my trust, and to Him I turn.”
31. Even if there were a Qur’an that could move mountains, or split the earth, or make the dead speak—they still would not believe. Rather, all command belongs to Allah alone. Do not those who believe know that if Allah had willed, He could have guided all people? But those who disbelieve will continue to be struck with disaster for what they did, or it will land close to their homes—until Allah’s promise comes to pass. Surely, Allah never breaks His promise.
32. Many messengers before you were mocked, but I gave the disbelievers time. Then I seized them, and how terrible was My punishment.
33. Is He who watches every soul and what it earns (not aware)? Yet they ascribe partners to Allah. Say: “Name them. Or are you telling Him of something on earth He doesn’t know, or are you just speaking empty words?” In fact, the evil plans of the disbelievers have been made to seem good in their eyes, and they have been turned away from the right path. Whoever Allah lets go astray—no one can guide him.
34. They will have punishment in this life, and the punishment of the Hereafter will be even harder. And they will have no protector against Allah.
35. The description of the Paradise promised to the righteous is this: rivers flow beneath it, its food and shade are everlasting. That is the reward for those who are mindful of Allah. But the end of the disbelievers is the Fire.
36. Those to whom We gave the Scripture rejoice in what has been revealed to you, but there are some groups who deny parts of it. Say: “I have only been commanded to worship Allah and not associate anything with Him. To Him I call, and to Him is my return.”
37. Thus We have revealed this Qur’an as a clear command in Arabic. If you followed their desires after knowledge has come to you, you would have no protector or defender against Allah.
38. We sent messengers before you, and We gave them wives and children. But no messenger ever brought a sign except with Allah’s permission. Every time has its own decree.
39. Allah erases or confirms whatever He wills, and with Him is the Master Record.
40. Whether We show you part of what We have promised them, or cause you to die first—your duty is only to deliver the message. And it is for Us to call them to account.
41. Do they not see how We come to the land and shrink it from its edges? Allah decides. No one can reverse His decision. And He is swift in taking account.
42. Those before them made plans, but the ultimate plan belongs to Allah. He knows what every soul earns. The disbelievers will soon know who will have the best outcome in the end.
43. Those who disbelieve say, “You are not a messenger.” Say: “Allah is enough as a witness between me and you, and so is whoever has knowledge of the Scripture.” 0 0 0
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Comment
Surah Ar-Ra’d offers a deeply reflective and spiritually powerful message that invites both the heart and the mind to respond. Its tone is serious and thoughtful, highlighting the contrast between those who truly believe and those who stubbornly reject truth, even when it is presented with clarity.
One of the most striking features of this Surah is how it blends natural imagery with spiritual truths. Thunder, lightning, rain, mountains, rivers, and crops are not just physical phenomena here—they are signs (āyāt) of Allah’s power, wisdom, and mercy. The thunder that glorifies Allah while striking the disobedient becomes a symbol of how all creation submits to its Lord, even when humans deny Him.
The Surah challenges the disbelievers by pointing out the irrationality of their arguments. They ask for miraculous signs while ignoring the greatest sign before them: the Qur’an itself. It reminds us that no sign will ever be enough for someone whose heart has already chosen denial. The verse about people stretching their hands to water, hoping it reaches their mouths without lifting it, captures this futility with remarkable imagery.
At the same time, Surah Ar-Ra’d comforts the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He is told not to be discouraged by rejection. Like the messengers before him, he is only required to deliver the message—not to control people’s hearts. This reassurance gives timeless strength to all who strive for truth in the face of opposition.
Perhaps the most important lesson of this Surah is in the verse: “Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” This is not only a religious truth but a universal principle. True reform—whether personal, social, or spiritual—begins inside the heart.
The Surah also makes it clear that Allah’s knowledge encompasses all things, and that He alone controls destiny. Human efforts matter, but they must be aligned with trust in Allah’s will. Those who believe, stay patient, establish prayer, and give in charity are promised a reward that lasts forever. Their inner peace comes from the remembrance of Allah—something the modern world longs for but rarely finds.
Overall, Surah Ar-Ra’d is both a warning and a source of hope. It humbles the arrogant, awakens the forgetful, and uplifts the sincere. It teaches that truth does not need to shout—it simply needs to be clear. And in the Qur’an, it is. 0 0 0
Surah Ar-Ra’d: Additional Study
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah Ar-Ra’d
Q. What is Surah Ar-Ra’d about?
Surah Ar-Ra’d emphasizes the power of Allah, the truth of revelation, the certainty of resurrection, and the signs of God in the natural world.
Q. How many verses are there in Surah Ar-Ra’d?
Surah Ar-Ra’d has 43 verses and is the 13th chapter of the Quran.
Q. Where was Surah Ar-Ra’d revealed?
It was revealed in Madinah, though some scholars consider certain parts to be Meccan.
Q. Why is the surah named Ar-Ra’d (The Thunder)?
The surah is named after the thunder, which is mentioned as a sign of Allah’s power and majesty.
Q. What are the main themes of Surah Ar-Ra’d?
Its themes include the greatness of Allah’s creation, the certainty of divine judgment, patience in the face of denial, and the consequences of disbelief.
Q. What lesson can Muslims learn from Surah Ar-Ra’d?
The surah teaches believers to remain patient, recognize Allah’s signs in the universe, and trust in His perfect plan.
Q. How does Surah Ar-Ra’d describe Allah’s knowledge?
It highlights that Allah knows what is hidden and open, what is in the hearts, and everything in the heavens and the earth. 0 0 0
The Thunder of Truth – Surah Ar-Ra’d
Surah Ar-Ra’d speaks loud and clear,
Of Allah’s power, so ever near.
The skies above and the earth below,
Hold signs of truth that all may know.
The thunder roars, the lightning shines,
Each drop of rain, His perfect signs.
He knows the secrets hearts conceal,
And every truth He will reveal.
Surah Ar-Ra’d calls souls to see,
The hand of God in land and sea.
The rise of night, the break of dawn,
Show faith in Him is never gone.
Patience is taught when trials are long,
Believers endure and remain strong.
For Allah’s promise will never fade,
His justice certain, His wisdom made.
Surah Ar-Ra’d, a guiding light,
Through storms of doubt, it shines so bright.
It tells the world that Allah’s decree,
Is truth eternal for you and me. 0 0 0
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