Surah ar-Ra`d (The Thunder ) 13 : 6

Overview (Verses 6 - 7)

Wrongdoers, Yet Forgiven

These people wonder that God will bring them back to life after their death, yet it is their being amazed that is indeed amazing. They even ask that their punishment be hastened instead of asking that they be given God’s guidance and praying for His grace: “They ask you to hasten evil rather than good.” (Verse 6)

Just as they do not look at the universe around them and do not contemplate its multitude of signs, they do not look at the fate of those communities before them. Those communities adopted the same attitude, precipitating God’s punishment, and it came fast upon them, making of them a lesson to any future community: “They ask you to hasten evil rather than good, although exemplary punishments have indeed come to pass before their time.” (Verse 6) They are unaware even of the fate of their own past generations which carry an effective lesson for those who wish to learn. “Your Lord always extends forgiveness to people despite their wrongdoing.” (Verse 6) He bestows His mercy on them even if they commit injustice and wrongdoing, allowing them time to reconsider their position. He allows them a chance to repent so that He will forgive them. But those who persist with their evil and wrongdoing, and remain unwilling to enter the gate of forgiveness, will find that God’s punishment is severe indeed. “Your Lord is certainly severe in retribution.” (Verse 6)

At this instance, the sūrah puts God’s forgiveness ahead of His punishment to contrast it with those who pray for punishment rather than God’s guidance. This demonstrates the great gulf between the goodness that God wants for them and the evil they seek for themselves.

It speaks volumes of how misguided, blind and abject they are. They certainly deserve the fire.

The sūrah then moves on to wonder at these people who are unable to see all the signs in the universe, each of which is a miracle on its own. They ask the Prophet for a miraculous sign. But what will they do with such a sign when the universe around them is full of signs pointing to the Creator. “Yet the unbelievers say: ‘Why has no miraculous sign been bestowed on him by his Lord?’ But you are only a warner. Every community have [their] guide.” (Verse 7) They demand a miracle when miracles are neither of the Prophet’s own making nor part of his business. It is God who decides, in His wisdom, whether it is necessary. ‘But you are only a warner,’ who invites people to consider and reflect, warning them of the consequence of stubborn refusal to see the facts. This is the same task given to every messenger sent before him. God has sent these messengers to their peoples so that they might guide them to the right path: “Every community have [their] guide.” (Verse 7) As for miraculous signs, these are God’s own affair.

Overview (Verses 6 - 7)

Wrongdoers, Yet Forgiven

These people wonder that God will bring them back to life after their death, yet it is their being amazed that is indeed amazing. They even ask that their punishment be hastened instead of asking that they be given God’s guidance and praying for His grace: “They ask you to hasten evil rather than good.” (Verse 6)

Just as they do not look at the universe around them and do not contemplate its multitude of signs, they do not look at the fate of those communities before them. Those communities adopted the same attitude, precipitating God’s punishment, and it came fast upon them, making of them a lesson to any future community: “They ask you to hasten evil rather than good, although exemplary punishments have indeed come to pass before their time.” (Verse 6) They are unaware even of the fate of their own past generations which carry an effective lesson for those who wish to learn. “Your Lord always extends forgiveness to people despite their wrongdoing.” (Verse 6) He bestows His mercy on them even if they commit injustice and wrongdoing, allowing them time to reconsider their position. He allows them a chance to repent so that He will forgive them. But those who persist with their evil and wrongdoing, and remain unwilling to enter the gate of forgiveness, will find that God’s punishment is severe indeed. “Your Lord is certainly severe in retribution.” (Verse 6)

At this instance, the sūrah puts God’s forgiveness ahead of His punishment to contrast it with those who pray for punishment rather than God’s guidance. This demonstrates the great gulf between the goodness that God wants for them and the evil they seek for themselves.

It speaks volumes of how misguided, blind and abject they are. They certainly deserve the fire.

The sūrah then moves on to wonder at these people who are unable to see all the signs in the universe, each of which is a miracle on its own. They ask the Prophet for a miraculous sign. But what will they do with such a sign when the universe around them is full of signs pointing to the Creator. “Yet the unbelievers say: ‘Why has no miraculous sign been bestowed on him by his Lord?’ But you are only a warner. Every community have [their] guide.” (Verse 7) They demand a miracle when miracles are neither of the Prophet’s own making nor part of his business. It is God who decides, in His wisdom, whether it is necessary. ‘But you are only a warner,’ who invites people to consider and reflect, warning them of the consequence of stubborn refusal to see the facts. This is the same task given to every messenger sent before him. God has sent these messengers to their peoples so that they might guide them to the right path: “Every community have [their] guide.” (Verse 7) As for miraculous signs, these are God’s own affair.