Ar-Ra"d - The Thunder
Arabic Name: الرَّعْد
Urdu Name: گرج
Type: Madani
Serial Number: 13
Revelation Order: 96
Total Verses: 43
Parah: 13
Rukus: 6
Sajda: 15
Related Hadith
"آية المنافق ثلاث: إذا حدث كذب، وإذا وعد أخلف، وإذا ائتمن خان (The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays)."
Directly cited by Ibn Kathir to explain the character flaw behind breaking the covenant of Allah.
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Quick Facts about this Verse
Surah
Ar-Ra"d
Revealed
Madani
Position
Juz 13
Explore this Verse
Verse Meaning
According to the comprehensive tafsir of Imam Al-Tabari, Quran 13:25 outlines the profile of the wretched by detailing three defining actions that stand in direct opposition to the qualities of believers. This verse condemns those who break the covenant of Allah after its ratification, sever the relationships Allah has commanded to be maintained, and spread corruption on earth. The synthesis of classical interpretations, from Ibn Kathir to Al-Qurtubi, reveals that these are not isolated sins but a systemic rejection of divine order. Ibn Kathir links these actions directly to the signs of a hypocrite, while Al-Qurtubi broadens the understanding of 'severing ties' to include not just kinship but also faith in all prophets. The hidden gem in the scholarly analysis, particularly from Tabari and Qurtubi's citation of Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, is the application of this verse to extremist groups like the Haruriyyah (Khawarij), who, despite outward piety, sever ties with the main body of Muslims and cause corruption. This comprehensive scholarly view shows the verse is a timeless warning against betraying trust, breaking essential human and divine bonds, and disrupting social harmony, leading to the ultimate consequences: Allah's curse and the 'evil abode' of Hellfire.
Questions for Reflection
Personal Integrity (The Covenant)
Reflect on a promise you made to Allah or to another person. As Ibn Kathir connects covenant-breaking to hypocrisy, contemplate the small compromises that weaken resolve. How does fulfilling a simple promise strengthen your spiritual core and distance you from the traits mentioned in this verse?
Relational Health (The Ties)
Al-Qurtubi and other scholars emphasize that 'what Allah has commanded to be joined' primarily refers to kinship. Visualize your family tree as a set of divinely commanded connections. Where is there distance? What small act of 'joining'—a call, a message, a visit—can you perform today to obey this command and avoid the curse of severing?
Societal Impact (Corruption vs. Rectification)
As-Sa'di contrasts the 'فساد' (corruption) in this verse with the 'إصلاح' (rectification) of the believers. Contemplate your daily interactions online and offline. Do your words and actions contribute to harmony, clarity, and well-being, or do they subtly add to confusion, discord, or waste? How can you transform a single act of potential 'fasad' into 'islah'?
Practical Applications
Conduct a 'Covenant Audit' in your life, examining all promises made to Allah (vows, repentance) and people (contracts, commitments).
Applies to business contracts, marriage vows, personal promises to improve, and commitments made to community organizations.
Actively mend a strained or distant family relationship by initiating contact, offering help, or forgiving a past wrong.
Relevant for resolving family disputes, reconnecting with distant relatives via technology, and prioritizing family obligations over social engagements.
Counteract 'Fasad' (corruption) by engaging in 'Islah' (rectification). Identify a source of negativity in your sphere of influence (e.g., gossip, misinformation, wastefulness) and actively work to correct it.
Can be applied to correcting misinformation online, mediating disputes between friends, or leading a community cleanup project.
Hidden Gem
The synthesis of scholarly thought, especially Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas's insight, reveals a profound spiritual lesson: corruption often begins with a sense of self-righteousness. The Haruriyyah believed they were purifying the religion, but in doing so, they broke the covenant of unity and severed ties with the community. Contemplate how a desire for 'good', if not tempered with wisdom and humility, can lead to the very 'fasad' this verse warns against.
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Common Questions
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