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
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
Know that Allāh gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. We have made clear to you the signs; perhaps you will understand.
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ
And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.
۞ 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.
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.