What Is Thunder?
On the authority of Ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما who said: “Jews came to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and said: ‘Tell us what thunder is?’,
He ﷺ replied: ‘It is an angel from Allāh’s angels that is set over the clouds and in whose hands is a Mikhraaq (1) by which he drives clouds away, directing them where Allāh commands him’.
They (the Jews) said: ‘And what is the sound (of thunder) that we hear?’
He ﷺ said: ‘It is the sound of his (angel) voice’
They said: ‘You have spoken rightly’.”
● [سلسلة الأحاديث الصحيحة ٤٤٩١ ، وحسنه الألباني]
Note: (1) Ibn al-Atheer رحمه الله said: “It (Mikhrāq) is a tool by which angels drive away and direct clouds.”
● [البداية والنهاية ٢٢٦]