Sura 13, The Thunder (Al-Ra`ad)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[13:1] A. L. M. R.* These (letters) are proofs of this scripture.
What is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most
people do not believe.
Footnote
[13:2] GOD is the One who raised the heavens without pillars that
you can see, then assumed all authority. He committed the sun and
the moon, each running (in its orbit) for a predetermined period.
He controls all things, and explains the revelations, that you may
attain certainty about meeting your Lord.
[13:3] He is the One who constructed the earth and placed on it
mountains and rivers. And from the different kinds of fruits, He
made them into pairs - males and females. The night overtakes the
day. These are solid proofs for people who think.
[13:4] On earth, there are adjacent lots that produce orchards of
grapes, crops, palm trees - dioecious and non-dioecious. Although
they are irrigated with the same water, we prefer some of them
over others in eating. These are solid proofs for people who
understand.
Belief in the Hereafter Required For Salvation
[13:5] If you ever wonder, the real wonder is their saying: "After
we turn into dust, do we get recreated anew?" These are the ones
who have disbelieved in their Lord. These are the ones who have
incurred shackles around their necks. These are the ones who have
incurred Hell, wherein they abide forever.
[13:6] They challenge you to bring doom upon them, rather than
turning righteous! Sufficient precedents have been set for them in
the past. Indeed, your Lord is full of forgiveness towards the
people, in spite of their transgressions, and your Lord is also
strict in enforcing retribution.
[13:7] Those who disbelieved say, "If only a miracle could come
down to him from his Lord (we will then believe)." You are simply
a warner - every community receives a guiding teacher.
[13:8] GOD knows what every female bears, and what every womb
releases, or gains. Everything He does is perfectly measured.
[13:9] The Knower of all secrets and declarations; the Supreme,
the Most High.
[13:10] It is the same whether you conceal your thoughts, or
declare them, or hide in the darkness of the night, or act in the
daylight.
[13:11] Shifts (of angels) take turns, staying with each one of
you - they are in front of you and behind you. They stay with you,
and guard you in accordance with GOD's commands. Thus, GOD does
not change the condition of any people unless they themselves make
the decision to change. If GOD wills any hardship for any people,
no force can stop it. For they have none beside Him as Lord and
Master.
[13:12] He is the One who shows you the lightning as a source of
fear, as well as hope, and He initiates the loaded clouds.
[13:13] The thunder praises His glory, and so do the angels, out
of reverence for Him. He sends the lightning bolts, which strike
in accordance with His will. Yet, they argue about GOD, though His
power is awesome.
[13:14] Imploring Him is the only legitimate supplication, while
the idols they implore beside Him cannot ever respond. Thus, they
are like those who stretch their hands to the water, but nothing
reaches their mouths. The supplications of the disbelievers are in
vain.
All Creation Has Submitted to God
[13:15] To GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth,
willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings
and the evenings.*
Footnote
[13:16] Say, "Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?" Say,
"GOD." Say, "Why then do you set up besides Him masters who do not
possess any power to benefit or harm even themselves?" Say, "Is
the blind the same as the seer? Is darkness the same as the
light?" Have they found idols besides GOD who created creations
similar to His creations, to the point of not distinguishing the
two creations? Say, "GOD is the Creator of all things, and He is
the One, the Supreme."
The Truth vs Falsehood
[13:17] He sends down water from the sky, causing the valleys to
overflow, then the rapids produce abundant foam. Similarly, when
they use fire to refine metals for their jewelry or equipment,
foam is produced. GOD thus cites analogies for the truth and
falsehood. As for the foam, it goes to waste, while that which
benefits the people stays close to the ground. GOD thus cites the
analogies.
[13:18] Those who respond to their Lord deserve the good rewards.
As for those who failed to respond to Him, if they possessed
everything on earth - even twice as much - they would readily give
it up as ransom. They have incurred the worst reckoning, and their
final abode is Hell; what a miserable destiny.
Believers Versus Disbelievers (1) The Believers
[13:19] Is one who recognizes that your Lord's revelations to you
are the truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who possess
intelligence will take heed.
[13:20] They are the ones who fulfill their pledge to GOD, and do
not violate the covenant.
[13:21] They join what GOD has commanded to be joined, reverence
their Lord, and fear the dreadful reckoning.
[13:22] They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe
the Contact Prayers (Salat), spend from our provisions to them
secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have
deserved the best abode.
[13:23] They enter the gardens of Eden, together with the
righteous among their parents, their spouses, and their children.
The angels will enter in to them from every door.
[13:24] "Peace be upon you, because you steadfastly persevered.
What a joyous destiny."
(2) The Disbelievers
[13:25] As for those who violate GOD's covenant after pledging to
keep it, and sever what GOD has commanded to be joined, and commit
evil, they have incurred condemnation; they have incurred the
worst destiny.
God Controls All Provisions
[13:26] GOD is the One who increases the provision for whomever He
wills, or withholds it. They have become preoccupied with this
life; and this life, compared to the Hereafter, is nil.
[13:27] Those who disbelieve would say, "If only a miracle could
come down to him from his Lord (we would believe)." Say, "GOD
sends astray whomever He wills, and guides to Him only those who
obey."
[13:28] They are the ones whose hearts rejoice in remembering GOD.
Absolutely, by remembering GOD, the hearts rejoice.
[13:29] Those who believe and lead a righteous life have deserved
happiness and a joyous destiny.
God's Messenger of the Covenant*
[13:30] We have sent you (O Rashad)* to this community, just as we
did for other communities in the past. You shall recite to them
what we reveal to you, for they have disbelieved in the Most
Gracious. Say, "He is my Lord. There is no god except He. I put my
trust in Him alone; to Him is my ultimate destiny."
Footnote
Mathematical Miracle of the Quran
[13:31] Even if a Quran caused mountains to move, or the earth to
tear asunder, or the dead to speak (they will not believe). GOD
controls all things. Is it not time for the believers to give up
and realize that if GOD willed, He could have guided all the
people? The disbelievers will continue to suffer disasters, as a
consequence of their own works, or have disasters strike close to
them, until GOD's promise is fulfilled. GOD will never change the
predetermined destiny.
All Messengers Must Be Ridiculed
[13:32] Messengers before you have been ridiculed; I permitted the
disbelievers to carry on, then I punished them. How terrible was
My retribution!
[13:33] Is there any equal to the One who controls every single
soul? Yet, they set up idols to rival GOD. Say, "Name them. Are
you informing Him of something on earth that He does not know? Or,
are you fabricating empty statements?" Indeed, the schemes of
those who disbelieve have been adorned in their eyes. They are
thus diverted from the right path. Whomever GOD sends astray can
never find a guiding teacher.
[13:34] They have incurred retribution in this life, and the
retribution in the Hereafter is far worse. Nothing can protect
them against GOD.
Heaven Allegorically Described
[13:35] The allegory of Heaven, which is promised for the
righteous, is flowing streams, inexhaustible provisions, and cool
shade. Such is the destiny for those who observe righteousness,
while the destiny for the disbelievers is Hell.
[13:36] Those who received the scripture rejoice in what was
revealed to you; some others may reject parts of it. Say, "I am
simply enjoined to worship GOD, and never associate any idols with
Him. I invite to Him, and to Him is my ultimate destiny."
Divine Authorization of the Quran's Mathematical Code*
[13:37] We revealed these laws in Arabic, and if you ever
acquiesce to their wishes, after this knowledge has come to you,
you will have no ally, nor a protector, against GOD.
Footnote
[13:38] We have sent messengers before you (O Rashad), and we made
them husbands with wives and children. No messenger can produce a
miracle without GOD's authorization, and in accordance with a
specific, predetermined time.
[13:39] GOD erases whatever He wills, and fixes (whatever He
wills). With Him is the original Master Record.
[13:40] Whether we show you what we promise them, or terminate
your life before that, your sole mission is to deliver (the
message). It is us who will call them to account.
[13:41] Do they not see that every day on earth, brings them
closer to the end, and that GOD decides their life span,
irrevocably? He is the most efficient Reckoner.
[13:42] Others before them have schemed, but to GOD belongs the
ultimate scheming. He knows what everyone is doing. The
disbelievers will find out who the ultimate winners are.
[13:43] Those who disbelieved will say, "You are not a messenger!"
Say, "GOD suffices as a witness between me and you, and those who
possess knowledge of the scripture."
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