Islamic Interpretation
Thunderbolts seen in a dream signify punishment, sickness, or death. If a thunderbolt strikes and burns something, it points to false accusations, destruction, financial loss, economic decline, or the forced disposal of goods. A thunderbolt may also serve as a warning to a sinner, a consequence for wrongdoing, widespread ruin, calamities, illnesses, whirlwinds, epidemics, an explosive event, major political change, oppression, beheading, an evil death, incineration, people being burned alive, or robbery. For someone under watch, seeing a thunderbolt indicates a raid or severe action against his home or business. When thunderbolts strike houses, they signify the appearance of greedy and contemptible criminals mingling with upright and unsuspecting people. If they strike farmland and ruin crops, they symbolize taxation or official investigation. Seeing an entire town struck and burned by a thunderbolt means the rise of a tyrannical ruler whose reign will bring fear, inflation, economic disorder, injustice, or war. If the thunderbolt carries no fire, it represents the emergence of a new leader. (Also see Earthquake)