فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ 143
Translations
And had he not been of those who exalt Allāh,
Transliteration
Falawla annahu kana mina al-musabbiheen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Prophet Yunus (Jonah) and means 'Had it not been that he was of those who glorify Allah.' The verse emphasizes that Yunus's constant remembrance and glorification of Allah (tasbih) was the reason Allah accepted his repentance and saved him from the belly of the whale. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this highlights the power of sincere dhikr (remembrance) and tasbih as means of deliverance from calamity, demonstrating that those who habitually praise and remember Allah receive His mercy even in dire circumstances.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the story of Prophet Yunus within Surah As-Saffat, a Meccan surah that recounts narratives of various prophets. The context follows Yunus being cast into the sea and swallowed by the whale, and this verse explains why Allah granted him salvation—his prior devotion to tasbih made him worthy of divine mercy and rescue.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best remembrance is La ilaha illallah (there is no deity except Allah), and the best supplication is Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah).' (Tirmidhi) This relates to the virtue of remembrance and glorification emphasized in the ayah regarding Yunus.
Themes
Key Lesson
Regular remembrance and glorification of Allah (tasbih) serves as spiritual preparation that enables us to receive divine mercy during trials and difficulties. This ayah teaches that consistent devotion to Allah is not merely an obligation but a profound source of protection and deliverance in times of crisis.
Related Ayahs
وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِا۟ئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ
And We sent him to [his people of] a hundred thousand or more.
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يَبْعَثَ فِىٓ أُمِّهَا رَسُولًا يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا ۚ وَمَا كُنَّا مُهْلِكِى ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ إِلَّا وَأَهْلُهَا ظَـٰلِمُونَ
And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother [i.e., principal city] a messenger reciting to them Our verses. And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers.
وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَـٰهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allāh].
فَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ
So We saved him and his family, all,