Hymn of Praise
\r\n Al-Rad (The Thunder) - Chapter 13: Verse 13 (partial)
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"And the thunder extols His limitless glory and praises Him, and so do the angels, in awe of Him."
The loud, explosive and resounding noise of thunder is a result of the laws of the universe set into operation by God. Whatever we may say about the nature or causes of thunder, it is a consequence of what God has set in the universe. It is a hymn of praise and glorification of the Power that has devised this whole system. Every fine and perfected product praises its Maker through what it reflects of His fine and perfect creation. However, the immediate and direct meaning of the term, 'glorify', may be the one intended here. This means that the thunder actually 'extols His limitless glory and praises Him.' If so, it is part of what God has chosen not to reveal to mankind. People have to accept this and believe in it as it is stated by God. After all, people only know very little about the world around them and even about themselves.
\r\nThe fact that glorification and praise of God by thunder is mentioned here follows the established pattern which we frequently encounter in the Quran. This imparts qualities and aspects of life to silent cosmic scenes, so that they participate in the action, and their action fits perfectly with the overall scene. The scene drawn here shows living things in a natural setting, and includes angels glorifying God, being in awe of Him, an earnest prayer to God, and also invocation of partners, as well as the person stretching out his hands to the water bidding it to reach his mouth, but it will not. Amidst this picture of prayer and worship, thunder is depicted as a living entity, using its distinctive sound to glorify God and pray to Him.
\r\nCompiled From:
\r\n \"In The Shade of The Quran\" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol. 10, p. 141