Chapter 13 - 72
The Thunder (Surah Al-Rad)
(43 verses in total; Late Makkan)
This short chapter focuses squarely on the denials of the people regarding the message that the Prophet had brought to his people. His people are warned and asked to look for God’s sign in all of nature and the turn of events unfolding before their own eyes while comforting the Prophet and the believers that their success will come eventually, if they are patient and steadfast in their faith and goodness.
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
God is the source of all power and regulations in this universe as our immediate celestial construct of the earth, the moon, and the sun demonstrate so precisely
Placement of mountains and streams, creation of vast tracks of vegetations, and numerous orchards of variety of fruits show renewal with seasons and times and point to renewal of life after death, only if we can discern the signs
Change in society comes only when people begin to change their own lives
In the name of Allah, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Alif, Lam, Meem, Ra!
These are the verses (signs) of the book, which is revealed to you with truth by your Sustainer God, but most people choose not to believe. Allah is the One Who elevated the heavens without pillars that you can see, and He established Himself in the Seat of His Majesty (arsh). God made the sun and the moon follow His command – each runs a course to its appointed end. He regulates the affairs (of all) and makes clear the message so that you can be certain that you will meet your Sustainer God (at the end).
God is the One Who spread the earth, placed on it mountains firms and streams, and of every kind of fruits He placed therein two kinds. God makes the night transition from the day. In all these, there are, indeed, signs for people who wish to reflect.
On the earth, there are tracts side by side - vineyards, corn fields, palm trees with roots shared and distinct – all these are watered by the same water, yet We (God) make
some of them excel others. Again, there are signs in these for people who wish to understand. (v. 1-4)
If you do wonder, the really wonderous thing is when they ask, “When we are reduced to dust (in graves), shall we be raised as a new creation?” It is these people who deny their Sustainer God, put shackles around their necks and become a party to the fire, where they will reside. They (even) ask you to hurry up the evils before the good, whereas consequences (for similar conducts) have already been demonstrated before them. Indeed, your Sustainer God is full of forgiveness for mankind, despite their own inequity and injustice. Be mindful, that your Sustainer God is capable of compete requital. Those who disbelieve ask, “Why has not a sign come down from your Sustainer God?” You are but a warner and for every community there is a guide. (v. 5-7)
God knows what every female bears and how what is in a womb grows or falls short of – for everything with Him comes with precise measures. God is the Knower of what is hidden and what is visible, the Great, the Exalted! It makes no difference to God whether you speak openly or in secret or if you hide by the night or go forth by the day.
For him1 there are guardian (angels) to his front and to his back, protecting with Allah’s command. Truly, Allah does not change the condition of a people, until they change what is in themselves. When Allah intends to bring out evils (due to their own conducts), there is no way to avert it. Besides God, they have no protector.
It is God Who shows you lightning, causing fear and hope and brings up heavy clouds. The thunder hymns God’s praise, and the angels too, in awe of Him. God sends thunderbolts and smites whomever He wills. Yet they dispute regarding Allah, while He is Mighty in prowess. (v. 8-13)
To God true supplication is due. As to those they call on besides Him answer them not. It is as if they stretch their hands towards water in the hope that it will reach their mouth, but it does not. The supplications of the disbelievers are nothing but going astray. To Allah prostrates all that is in the heavens and on the earth, either willingly or unwillingly, even their shadows, in the morning and evening.2
Ask, “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” Reply, “Allah”. Ask, “Do you take besides God guardians who controls neither benefits nor harms, even to themselves?” (Again) Ask, “Are the blind and the seer equal, or the light and the darkness? Or, is it that the associates, they set up with God, have created creations like God such that those creations (as they see it) seem similar to them?” Say, “Allah is the Creator of all things - the One, the Supreme!”
He sends down water from the clouds and causes waterways to flow according to their measures and the torrents carry a swelling froth; similar to how they melt in the fire to make ornaments and instruments, and scum rises. This is how God compares truth and falsehood. The scum passes away as worthless whereas what benefits mankind, it remains in possession. This is how Allah sets forth parables.
Those who respond to their Sustainer God, they will have what is most beautiful and wholesome! As for those who do not respond to God, even if they possess all that the earth contains and another amount equal to that, they will offer up all for a ransom. But their reckoning will be evil, and their refuge will be Hellfire - an evil refuge indeed! (v. 14-18)
Is he, the one who knows (and acknowledges) what your Sustainer God revealed to you to be true, can he be like who is blind? Only people who have understanding will be mindful, those who – (1) fulfil their agreement with God and do not break the covenant, (2) protect what God has commanded to be joined (e.g., human relationship), (3) stand in awe of God and dread the evils of the eventual reckoning, (4) are patient in seeking alignment with their Sustainer, (5) are constant in their worship (salah), (6) give in charity, openly or in secret, from what God gave them, and (7) repel evil with good. These are the one who will have the reward of a (happy) residence – The Garden of Perpetuity in which they will enter along with those who did good - from among their forefathers, spouses and children.
Angels will come upon them through every gate, wishing – Peace be to you because of your constancy and patience (in serving God and mankind) – How excellent is this final resting place!
But those who break the covenant with Allah after confirming it, destroy relationships that Allah had commanded to preserve, and make mischiefs and corruptions on earth, for them is the curse (of all) and they will come to an evil resting place. Allah constrains or expands livelihood as He pleases but they rejoice in this world’s life (without sharing). This world’s life, compared to the Hereafter, is a short-lived enjoyment! (v. 19-26)
Those who disbelieve say, “Why is not sign (miracle) sent down to him by his Cherisher God? Say, “Allah leaves in error whomever He please and He guides to Himself those who incline (to Him) – those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in mindfulness of Allah. Indeed, only in Allah’s remembrance the hearts find comfort. Those who believe and do good will enjoy bliss and a beautiful homecoming!
(It is with such intent) We (God) had sent you to a nation, before which other nations had passed away, that you may convey to them what We have revealed to you. Still, they deny the Beneficent God. Say (to them), “He is my Sustainer God. There is no god but God. It is in God that I put my trust and to God is my return.”
If there were to be a Qur’an with which mountains can be lifted, or the earth could be cleaved, or the dead could be made to speak (they would still deny) - but all affairs find recourse in Allah! Do not those who believe realize that if Allah had willed, He would have guided all of mankind? Those who deny God, their evils will never cease to afflict them because of what they do, or come close to their dwellings, until the promise of Allah is executed. Truly, Allah never fails in His promise! (v. 27-31)
Before you (Prophet), messengers were mocked at while I (God) gave them respite and then I seized them. How (devastating) then was My requital! What of God Who watches over every soul as to what it earns (does He need partners)? Yet, they practice polytheism. Say, “Name them (if you know), or will you inform God of a thing that He knows not to exist on earth, or are these just your own conjectures?” Rather, their scheme (of falsehood) seems reasonable to those who deny God and they are kept back from guidance. Whoever Allah leaves in error, will not find guidance. Chastisements will visit them in this life but the chastisements of the life to come are even more intense. There shall be none to protect them against Allah.
A parable of a Garden that is promised for those who acts responsibly – therein flowing rivers, (trees with) fruits abundant, and their (comforting) shade! Such is the eventual outcome of those who act responsibly whereas the deniers will find themselves in the Fire. Those who have been given the Scripture before, rejoice for the revelation that has come to you (now) but there are parties (among them and others) who deny a part of it. Say (to them), “I am commanded to serve Allah only and not to associate partners with Him. To God I invite and to God is my return.”
Thus We (God) had sent it (the Qur’an) down as a judgement in Arabic. If you were to follow other’s vain desires after knowledge has come to you, then you will find neither a protector nor a guardian against Allah. (v. 32-37)
Certainly, We sent messengers before and gave them wives and children. It is not within the power of a messenger to bring a sign (miracle) except with God’s permission. For every term (outcome, generation), there is corresponding book (of guidance). Allah effaces what He wills, and He establishes what He wills. With God is the sources of all Scriptures (ummul kitab)!
Whether We allow you to see part of what consequences We bring to them or We take you back (unto Us), your responsibility is to deliver the message, and Our job is to take accounts (of their actions). Do they not see how We are visiting the lands and curtailing the outlying areas (from them)? When Allah declares judgements, there is none to repel His judgements. God is swift in taking accounts!
People before them also planned but all planning is Allah’s. He knows what every soul yearns for. The deniers will come to know (soon) who will have ultimate success. Those who disbelieve, say, “You are not a messenger.” Reply, “Allah and those who have knowledge of the book are sufficient as witnesses between you and me.” (v. 38-43)
1This could be the Prophet himself or pertains to any human being as everyone needs God’s protection to carry on with life’s activities and pursuits
2Such a verses requires actual prostration from a believer, according to Prophetic traditions
