We usually use the word "awe" without really understanding the depth hidden in this three lettered word. Generally seeking, awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. However, in Al Qur'an uses the thunder and thunderbolts, that really shake us when these powerful noises and light is seen across the sky, to perfectly describe what awe truly is.
Today we share the 12-13th verses from Surah 13. Ar Ra'ad, a Surah which means the Thunder, to explain how the combination of the thunder and thunderbolts instill the otherwise rather misunderstood word "awe." Let us first read the meaning of these two verses and then explain how Allah describe "awe" to glorify His immense might and power:
هُوَ الَّذِىۡ يُرِيۡكُمُ الۡبَرۡقَ خَوۡفًا وَّطَمَعًا وَّيُنۡشِئُ السَّحَابَ الثِّقَالَۚ
(13:12) He it is Who causes you to see lightning that inspires you with both fear and hope, and He it is Who whips up heavy clouds.
وَيُسَبِّحُ الرَّعۡدُ بِحَمۡدِهٖ وَالۡمَلٰۤـئِكَةُ مِنۡ خِيۡفَتِهٖ ۚ وَيُرۡسِلُ الصَّوَاعِقَ فَيُصِيۡبُ بِهَا مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ وَهُمۡ يُجَادِلُوۡنَ فِى اللّٰهۚ ِ وَهُوَ شَدِيۡدُ الۡمِحَالِؕ
(13:13) The thunder celebrates His praise and holiness, and the angels, too, celebrate His praise for awe of Him. He hurls thunderbolts, striking with them whom He wills while they are engaged in disputation concerning Allah. He is Mighty in His contriving.
These two verses are short, but carry a complete worldview about nature, power, fear, hope, and human arrogance.
Immediate context of Surah Ar-Raʿad
We have already published an Overview and Exegesis of Sürah (13) Ar Ra’ad (The Thunder). Herein under is just a passing reference to what Surah Ar Ra'ad is about. Surah Ar-Raʿd is about: (1) Signs in nature, (2) Rejection (by non believers and atheists) despite evidence, (3) Human insistence on arguing rather than reflecting and (4) The certainty of divine power behind visible laws
The above mentioned two verses come in a section where Allah is teaching through the natural world, not scripture alone — so the message addresses all humanity, believers and non-believers alike, specially the atheists of modern day. Let us explain to understand they why of these two verses:
Lightning: fear and hope together (13:12)
(13:12) He it is Who causes you to see lightning that inspires you with both fear and hope, and He it is Who whips up heavy clouds.
The Qur’an deliberately combines opposites. Here both fear and hope are mentioned to instill the Divine fear in the hearts of those who shrug off the Divine signs of fear that results into destruction, danger, loss, while at the same time the thunderbolts are a cue for hope that binges rain resulting into life and growth.
Key lesson: The verses means that Reality is not random — it is balanced. And that Lightning is neither purely benevolent nor purely destructive. Rather it reflects: (1) Human vulnerability, (2) Dependence on forces beyond control.
It also has lesson for the atheists that Nature is not “kind” or “cruel” — it is indifferent to human ego. Yet it is finely balanced in ways that sustain life.
Heavy clouds: unseen preparation before visible outcomes (“He brings forth heavy clouds.”). This means that Rain does not arrive suddenly. It requires a complete natural procedure to set in like: (1) Evaporation, (2) Accumulation, (3) Movement, (3) Timing.
Universal lesson: Major outcomes are preceded by unseen processes. This challenges: (1) Instant gratification, (2) * Reductionist thinking, and (3) Denial of unseen realities (including resurrection).
* Reductionist thinking is a cognitive approach that analyzes complex systems, problems, or behaviors by breaking them down into their smallest, most fundamental, and simple parts. Originating from René Descartes, this method posits that understanding the individual components allows for comprehension of the entire system. It is widely used in scientific fields like physics, chemistry, and biology to create objective, testable models, though it is often criticized for ignoring the context and interactions that make up the whole.
Thunder glorifies Allah (13:13) — what does this mean?
(13:13) The thunder celebrates His praise and holiness, and the angels, too, celebrate His praise for awe of Him. He hurls thunderbolts, striking with them whom He wills while they are engaged in disputation concerning Allah. He is Mighty in His contriving.
This is not poetic exaggeration. In Qur’anic language: (1) Everything follows the role assigned to it, (2)
Obedience to divine law is tasbīḥ, (3)
Thunder “glorifies” Allah by: (1) Obeying physical laws flawlessly, (2) Never rebelling, (3) Never deviating
Contrast with humans: (1) Nature obeys without ego, and (2) Humans resist despite understanding.
Thunderbolts and human dispute “He strikes with them whom He wills, yet they dispute about Allah.”
This is a sharp rebuke. That is while people witness uncontrollable power, death can strike unpredictably - that is Safety is never guaranteed.
Despite these immense display of power and might, people (specially the atheists) still: (1) Argue about God’s existence, (2) Demand absolute proof, and (3) Mock the notion of accountability
Here is the Qur’anic irony: Human beings debate sovereignty while standing inside it.
“Severe in power” — not cruelty, but reality “He is severe in power.”
This does not mean Allah is unjust. Rather it means (1) His power is not symbolic, (2) His laws are not negotiable, and that (3) His authority is not theoretical
Nature already demonstrates this severity:
The Divine power and might strikes in the form of Earthquakes, Storms, Death and Aging. None of these is in the power of the humans, who can never control these events nor delay. These would strike as and when Divinely desired, no one knows where, when and how.
Here the Qur’an asks: If you accept severity in nature, why deny sovereignty behind it?
Lessons specifically for atheists
These verses challenge atheism without insults or theology-heavy arguments. It may be added that despite denying the existence of a Divine Beings Who controls every movement, the atheists are too struck with the awe and fear the destruction that may strike them. It calls:
- You already live by fear and hope
- That is why you take (1) Safety measures, (2) Insurance, and look for the Weather forecasts so that you are not caught in a storm and get hurt.
- And yet you deny: (1) Moral accountability, (2) Ultimate meaning
- You trust unseen processes like electrons, gravity, probability But reject: (1) Unseen purpose and (2) Unseen will
- You debate God under God’s sky while being benefiting from order and protected by balance, yet being Threatened by the same system at the same time. The Qur’an’s critique is simple: Denial is not intellectual — it is moral hesitation.
Lessons for all of mankind
- Humility - Power surrounds us at all times — yet we live as if autonomous.
- Gratitude - Rain is not guaranteed. Stability is not promised.
- Restraint - If nature obeys, rebellion is uniquely human — and uniquely dangerous.
- Reflection over argument - The Qur’an does not say they deny Allah — it says: “They dispute about Allah.” - that is Disputation replaces reflection when arrogance enters.
One-line Qur’anic summary
These verses do not aim to prove God mathematically. Rather these aim to wake the conscience. That is while mankind argues, forgetting that it lives inside a reality it did not create.
This is what Al Qur'an is saying: Look at the sky before you argue about the One who governs it. Thus, let the Divine awe instill fear in us the Divine might and power while at them same time being hopeful of His infinite mercy so that we are not struck by His destructive power and bowing to Him for His mercy to help us understand the Divine wisdom in everything that we see around us.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 13. Al Ra'd - The Thunder already published.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
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