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
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.
كَلَّآ إِذَا دُكَّتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ دَكًّا دَكًّا
No! When the earth has been leveled - pounded and crushed
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.
يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
He causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night, and He is Knowing of that within the breasts.