al-Ra‘d is the 13th sura of the Holy Qur’an, which means ‘The Thunder’ and belongs to the Medinan period. It comprises 43 verses, 865 words, 3,506 letters, and six segments. It is the 96th sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura Muhammad. The sura derives its name from verse 13, where thunder is described as praising God.

The sura begins with four Mysterious Letters of the Qur’an and has much to say about the wonders of God’s creation. The sura draws attention to the many wonders of the heavens and earth to explain the magnificent signs of God’s authority. It describes some of the attributes of God, including His knowledge, being All-Encompassing and All-Mighty. He is Absolute with a complete Capability of creation. It mentions the orbiting of the sun and the moon, the vastness of the earth, the placement of firm mountains in it and the creation of fruits of every kind in pairs. The chapter further mentions the gardens, various crops, fruits and trees, irrigated by the same water yet giving different tastes. The sura explains different displays of the divine power of the One God, rejecting the idols as false and powerless gods. It further invites the people of reason towards the truth, to come out of their worldly delusions, and to remember God. The virtuous may then find comfort in their hearts and enter Paradise, as promised by their God, and escape from Hell, as promised for the evil and the infidels.