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As for thunder and lightning, a hadith traced back to the Prophet, recorded by al-Tirmidhī and others, relates that he was asked about thunder and replied:

“An angel entrusted with the clouds, carrying whips of fire with which he drives the clouds wherever Allah wills.”

In al-Kharā’itī’s Makārim al-Akhlāq (Noble Character), it is reported that ‘Alī was asked about thunder and replied, “An angel.” When asked about lightning, he replied, “Whips in the hands of the angels.” Another report from him reads: “Whips of iron in his hand.” Other reports to the same effect have also been transmitted.

Statements have also been reported from some of the early Muslims that do not conflict with this, such as the view that thunder is the collision of masses of cloud caused by the compression of air within them. This does not contradict the foregoing, for ra‘d (thunder) is the verbal noun of ra‘ada, yar‘adu (to thunder). The one producing thunder may likewise be called ra‘d, just as a just person may be called ‘adl (justice).

Movement produces sound, and it is the angels who move the clouds and convey them from place to place. Every movement in the higher and lower worlds is brought about by the angels. A human being’s voice results from the striking together of parts of his body—his lips, tongue, and teeth