سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي يُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ
Glory be to Him whom the thunder glorifies with His praise, and the angels too, out of awe of Him.
Subhanalladhi yusabbihur-ra'du bihamdihi wal-mala'ikatu min kheefatihi.
When to Read
When you hear the rumble of thunder, this is the dua to recite. This practice comes to us from 'Abdullah ibn Az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him), a distinguished Companion of the Prophet ﷺ. It's a profound way to acknowledge Allah's might and express our humility during moments when the sheer power of nature is on display.
How to Read
Upon hearing thunder, pause for a moment and sincerely recite this dua. There's no specific posture or ritual involved beyond the verbal remembrance. Focus on the meaning – glorifying Allah, acknowledging the submission of creation, and seeking refuge in His majesty. It's a personal moment of reflection and turning to Allah amidst the awe of nature.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua when thunder rolls serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it's an act of **glorifying Allah (Tasbih)**, aligning our hearts and tongues with the very thunder and angels that praise Him out of awe, as mentioned in the Quran (Ar-Ra'd 13:13). This helps us contextualize natural phenomena as signs of Allah's immense power, not mere random occurrences. By invoking Allah's praise, we affirm His sovereignty and seek His protection, turning moments of potential fear into opportunities for remembrance and gratitude. Following the practice of 'Abdullah ibn Az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) is also a means of drawing closer to the Sunnah, as the Companions were meticulous in their devotion and remembrance.
Source & Authentication
> **Arabic:** كَانَ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ إِذَا سَمِعَ الرَّعْدَ تَرَكَ الْحَدِيثَ وَقَالَ: سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي يُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ > > **Translation:** When 'Abdullah ibn Az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) heard thunder, he would stop speaking and say: "Glory be to Him whom the thunder glorifies with His praise, and the angels too, out of awe of Him." > > — Al-Muwatta, Kitab al-Istisqa, Hadith 9