Reflections On The Thunder
Tadabbur Newsletter Issue 01 - May 2026
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
On Thursday 7th May, we returned with our first Quran Club after Ramadan, so it was only fitting for the theme to be hope and renewal. It can often feel that the return to your usual routine comes with a drop in mood or morale. Perhaps you're in mourning for the version you were when Ramadan greeted you and you are unsure of how to get back to that person again. Maybe you simply miss the blessings of gatherings over worship and food. There is a universal struggle in the differences we experience internally and around us.
The states of water
Within the room, there was lots of time dedicated to exploring these states of change within ourselves and within nature by reflecting over Surah Ar-Ra’d, the Thunder chapter. We drew parallels on the many states of water mentioned in the surah, and the many states we exist in as believers, being both impressionable and influential to our environments.
أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۭ فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَٱحْتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيْلُ زَبَدًۭا رَّابِيًۭا ۚ وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبْتِغَآءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَـٰعٍۢ زَبَدٌۭ مِّثْلُهُۥ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَٱلْبَـٰطِلَ ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءًۭ ۖ وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ
13:17: He sends water from the sky that fills riverbeds to overflowing, each according to its measure. The stream carries on its surface a growing layer of froth, like the froth that appears when people melt metals in the fire to make ornaments and tools: in this way God illustrates truth and falsehood- the froth disappears, but what is of benefit to man stays behind- this is how God makes illustrations.
Ayah (verse) 17 resonated with many in the room, as we broke down how Allah uses the vivid imagery of foam and water to teach us to discern between falsehood and truth. What ultimately remains after this purification process in which fleeting falsehoods disappear is clear waters: truth. This ayah is a reminder that this lasting and ultimate truth was revealed through the arrival of the Last Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), who was also known as As-Sadiq, the Truthful.
Pairings and contrast
The mention of falsehood and truth led us to discussing pairs in this surah –
hope — fear [13:12]
darkness — light [13:10]
the seen — the unseen [13:9]
morning — evening [13:15]
These pairs act as both a contrast and a balance for one another and in this way, Allah shows us the perfect balance in which He has made this world. In the same way that ayah 12 describes how thunder evokes fear and awe, we are reminded that both are also essential to our experiences as humans.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرِيكُمُ ٱلْبَرْقَ خَوْفًۭا وَطَمَعًۭا وَيُنشِئُ ٱلسَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ
13:12: It is He who shows you the lightning, inspiring fear and hope; He builds up the clouds heavy with rain.
When questioning the contrasts that exist within ourselves, we spoke of the theme of balance versus extremities in Islam, and that ultimately we are people of the middle path.
However, our imaan (faith) fluctuating is a part of our greater struggle, which is the betterment of the soul. The returning that we do daily – whether that be prayer, remembrance or charity – is all in the cause of consistently rebalancing; God loves the return of a believer.
In a world of both pairings and contrasts, Allah remains constant and there cannot be a comparison to the Incomparable. Our Quran Club was a remind that by fully relying on Him and making Him our source of all things, the pleasures of seeking His Closeness and the pleasures of the afterlife are absolute.
Peace is a process: a note from the facilitator
There are many words for peace used across the Qur’an, from salām (سلام) to sakīnah (سكينة) to sulḥ (صلح). In Surah Ar-Ra’d, we are reminded that “verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace”, and in this ayah, the word used for peace is tatma’inn (تطمئن). It’s a verb, meaning to become calm, to feel reassured, to settle down. It describes a process or change, it is when anxiety or unrest turns into tranquility and this reminds us of two things. For one, our hearts are not made to be in a static state of tranquility in this life, but rather we will be in a process of movement towards and away from peace until we reach the place of permanent peace. But this is also a reminder that our journey to peace in this dunya can only truly be attained through remembrance of Allah (ذِكْر). So let us remember Him wherever we are, however we are; whether in a masjid, in nature, or on a plane. In this act of devotion, as we try to give the heart what it is inclined toward, we may come to find a sense of peace if He wills.
We ask Al Khalaq, the Creator, to keep us in awe of His creation and allow us to reflect on His signs.
We ask Al Haqq, the Truth, to always keep us on the side of truth and to be those who refute falsehood in all forms.
We ask Al Hadi, the Guide, to keep us balanced and people of the straight path, the Sirat Al Mustaqeem.
We ask Al Nur, the Light, to keep us in His light, through allowing us to remember Him in our every waking moment.
We ask As-Salam, the Source of Peace, to remind us that there is no peace except through Him and to provide us with peace through seeking closeness to Him.
Ameen
Authored by Hadeel | Facilitator’s note by Anjum | Edited by Anas | Photographs by Omar
Disclaimer: Tadabbur Club is not an educational organisation, and our team are not Islamic scholars. Please keep this in mind when reading the reflections shared.
