فَٱلْتَقَمَهُ ٱلْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ 142
Translations
Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.
Transliteration
Fa-iltaqamahu al-hoot wa huwa muleem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the whale swallowed Yunus (Jonah) while he was blameworthy—having left his people without Allah's permission. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the word 'muleem' (blameworthy) emphasizes Yunus's state of disobedience and self-reproach at the moment of being swallowed. This event served as a means of purification and a test through which Allah demonstrated His power and mercy toward His servant.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Yunus in Surah As-Saffat (37:139-148), which recounts his story from his flight until his rescue. The surah was revealed in Mecca and presents examples of prophets who remained steadfast. The broader context emphasizes divine justice and mercy—Yunus's trial in the whale's belly was both a punishment for his transgression and a path to repentance and closeness to Allah.
Related Hadiths
The story of Yunus is referenced in Sahih Muslim (2218) where the Prophet Muhammad mentioned the supplication 'La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu min al-zalimeen' (There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers), which Yunus recited in the whale's belly and through which Allah saved him.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even when believers falter in obedience, Allah's mercy encompasses them through trials that lead to repentance and spiritual renewal. This ayah teaches that difficult circumstances are often divine tests designed to bring us closer to Allah and purify our hearts from heedlessness.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
That is because Allāh causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَـٰٓفَّـٰتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ ۚ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۭ بَصِيرٌ
Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.
أَفَأَمِنتُمْ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمْ جَانِبَ ٱلْبَرِّ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُوا۟ لَكُمْ وَكِيلًا
Then do you feel secure that [instead] He will not cause a part of the land to swallow you or send against you a storm of stones? Then you would not find for yourselves an advocate.
۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ وَهُمْ أُلُوفٌ حَذَرَ ٱلْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مُوتُوا۟ ثُمَّ أَحْيَـٰهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
Have you not considered those who left their homes in many thousands, fearing death? Allāh said to them, "Die"; then He restored them to life. And Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of the people do not show gratitude.