Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)
SÛRAH XIII
Ar-Ra‘d, “The Thunder,” takes its name from a word in v. 13. The subject is Divine guidance in relation to the law of consequences, it being explained here, as elsewhere in the Koran, that there is no partiality or aversion on the part of God, but that reward and punishment are the result of obeying or rejecting natural (or Divine) laws. According to some ancient authorities, it is a Meccan Sûrah with the exception of two verses revealed at Al-Madînah; according to others, a Madînan Sûrah with the exception of two verses revealed at Mecca. The very fact of such wholesale difference of opinion favours the Meccan attribution because there could be no such doubt about a complete Madînan Sûrah, owing to the great number of witnesses. The Madinan ascription may have arisen from the recognition of some verses by those witnesses as having been revealed at Al-Madînah on a certain occasion.
A late Meccan Sûrah for the most part.
The Thunder
1. Alif. Lâm. Mîm. Râ.1 These are verses of the Scripture. That which is revealed unto th.ee from, thy Lord is the Truth, but most of mankind believe not.
2. Allah it is who raised up the heavens without visible supports, then mounted the Throne, and compelled the sun and the moon to be of service, each runneth unto an appointed term; He order eth the course; He detaileth the revelations, that haply ye may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.
1 See Sûrah II, v. 1, footnote.