Drawn Up in Ranks (As-Sâffât)

In the name of Allah, Gracious, Merciful.

¹By those who range themselves in ranks.¹

²And so are strong in repelling evil.

³And thus proclaim the message!

⁴Verily, verily, your Allah is One!

⁵Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!

⁶We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty in the stars.

⁷And for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits.

⁸They should not strain their ears in the direction of the exalted assembly, but be cast away from every side.²

⁹Repulsed for they are under a perpetual penalty.

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

¹Wa saffati saffa

²Fazzajirati zajran

³Fattaliyati zikran

⁴Inna ilahakum lawahid

⁵Rabbus samawati wal ardi wa ma bainahuma wa rabbul masyariq

⁶Inna zayyan nassama addunya bizinatinil kawakib

⁷Wa hifzam min kulli syaitanim marid

⁸La yassammauna ilal mala ilala wa yuqzafuna min kulli janib

⁹Duhuraw wa lahum azabuw wasib

1. There are several interpretations to this verse, Yusuf Ali, Muhammad Ali, Farid and Sale each talk about some aspect of the varying views. Those who range themselves in ranks could be angels, holy men and Muslim in battle array. Verses one to three appears to be shedding light on those who range themselves in ranks and talks about what such men do.

2. The Bible tells us that Satan can stand before God to accuse the faithful (Job 1:6-12, 2:1-7). In 1 Peter 5:8; we are told that Satan is wild, looking for whom he may devour. It is evident that Satan does not work alone but appoints demons to follow the righteous and to report back to him. In this light then, they do hear and see what is said and done in the exalted ranks, Though they not see and hear everything, which is why no fortune teller can ever give a 100% prediction all the time. They are able to predict what they have knowledge of and not what they are ignorant about. By the way the jinns who could not come near the exalted assembly, however heard the Qur’an being recited and became converted according to Qur’an 72:1.

¹⁰Except such as snatch away something by stealth and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.

¹¹Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create or the other beings We have created? We have created them out of a sticky clay!³

¹²Truly do you marvel while they ridicule.

¹³And when they are admonished pay no heed.

¹⁴And when they see a sign, they turn it to mockery.

¹⁵And say “This is nothing but evident sorcery!

¹⁶“What! when we die and become dust and bones shall we be raised up again?

¹⁷“And also our fathers of old?”

¹⁸Say: “Yea, and you shall then be humiliated on account of your evil.”

¹⁹Then it will be a single cry; and behold they will begin to see!

¹⁰Illa man khatifal katfata fa atbaahu sihabun saqib

¹¹Fastaftihim ahum asyad du khalqan am man khalaqna inna khalaqnahum min tinillazib

¹²Bal ajibta wa yasharun

¹³Wa iza zukkiru la yazkurun

¹⁴Wa iza ra au ayatay yastaskhirun

¹⁵Wa qalu inhaza illa sihrum mubin

¹⁶Aiza mitna wa kunna turabaw wa izhaman a inna lamabutsun

¹⁷Awa aba unal awwalun

¹⁸Qul naam wa antum dakhirun

¹⁹Fa innama hiya zajratuw wahidatun fa iza hum yanzurun

3. Verses 10 and 11 are about the jinns or the fallen angels whom according to Qur’an 15:27 were created from the fire of scorching wind and in this case contradicts verse which says that they were made from a sticky clay. The Bible does not give us any clue as to the substance by which the angels were created. However, seeing that both the good and bad angels were created by God before the later rebelled and were cast out heaven it will be safe to say that they are of the stock.

²⁰They will say “Ah! woe to us! This is the day of judgment!”

²¹“This is the day of sorting out whose truth you denied!”

²²“Bring them up” it shall be said “The wrongdoers and their wives and the things they worshiped.

²³“Besides Allah and lead them to the way, to the fire!

²⁴“And stop them for they must be asked:

²⁵“What is the matter with you that you help not each other?’ “

²⁶No, but that day, they shall submit;

²⁷And they will turn to one another and question one another.

²⁸They will say: “It was you who used to come to us from the right hand!”

²⁹They will reply: “No, you yourselves had no faith!

²⁰Wa qalu ya wailana haza yaumud din

²¹Haza yaumul faslil lazi kuntum bihi tukaz zibun

²²Uhsurul lazina zalamu wa azwajahum wa ma kanu yabudun

²³Min dunil lahi fah duhum ila siratil jahim

²⁴Wa qifuhum innahum masulun

²⁵Ma lakum la tanasharun

²⁶Bal humul yauma mustaslimun

²⁷Wa aqbala baduhum ala badiyyatasa alun

²⁸Qalu innakum muntum tatunana anil yamin

²⁹Qalu ballam takunu muminim

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁰“And we had no authority over you. No, it was you who were a people in obstinate rebellion!

³¹“So now has the word of our Lord been proved true against us, that we shall indeed taste the punishment of our sins:

³²“We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray.”⁴

³³Truly, that day they will share in the penalty.

³⁴Verily, that is how We shall deal with sinners.

³⁵For they, when they were told that there is no god except Allah, would puff themselves up with pride.

³⁶And say: “What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a possessed poet?”

³⁷No! He has come with the truth and he confirms the message of the apostles before Him.

³⁸You shall indeed taste of the grievous penalty.

³⁰Wa ma kana lana alaikum min sultan balkuntum qauman tagin

³¹Fahaq qa alaina qaulu rabbina inna laza iqun

³²Fa agwainakum inna kunna gawin

³³Fa innahum yauma izin fil azabi mustarikun

³⁴Inna kazalika nafalu bil mujrimin

³⁵Innahum kanu iza qila lahum la ilaha illallahu yastakbirun

³⁶Wa yaquluna a inna latariku alihatina lisyairim majnun

³⁷Bal ja a bilhaqqi wa sad daqal mursalin

³⁸Innakum laza iqul azabil alim

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁹And it will be no more than the retribution of what you have wrought.

⁴⁰But the sincere servants of Allah.

⁴¹For them is a determined sustenance.

⁴²Fruits, and they shall enjoy honor and dignity.

⁴³In gardens of felicity.

⁴⁴Facing each other on thrones:

⁴⁵Round will be passed to them a cup from a clear flowing fountain.

⁴⁶Crystal white of a taste delicious to those who drink.

⁴⁷Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

⁴⁸And beside them will be chaste women; restraining their glances with big eyes.

⁴⁹As if they were eggs closely guarded.

⁵⁰Then they will turn to one another and question one another.

³⁹Wa ma tujzauna illa ma kuntum tamalun

⁴⁰Illa ibadal lahil mukhlasin

⁴¹Ulaika kahum rizqum malum

⁴²Fawakihu wa hummukramun

⁴³Fi jannatin naim

⁴⁴Ala sururim mutaqabilin

⁴⁵Yuthafu alaihim bikasim mimmain

⁴⁶Baida a lazzatil lissaribin

⁴⁷La fiha gauluw wa lahum anha yunzafun

⁴⁸Wa indahum qasiratuttarfi in

⁴⁹Ka annahunna baidum maknun

⁵⁰Fa aqbala baduhum ala badiyyatasa alun

4. It is very important to know which of the world’s most popular leaders, Jesus and Muhammad would be able to lead us to heaven. Concerning Heaven and hell this is what is promised their followers: Jesus will lead His followers to heaven (John 3:18, 14:1-3) not hell. Muhammad’s followers are promised hell (Qur’an 19:71) not heaven. These passages are self explanatory, the way to heaven is for those who follow Jesus, who is the Word of God, John 1:1-3, Qur’an 3:45.

⁵¹One of them will start the talk and say: “I had an intimate companion.

⁵²“Who used to say ‛What! are you among those who bear witness to the truth?

⁵³“When we die and become dust and bones shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?”

⁵⁴He said: “Would you like to look down?”

⁵⁵He looked down and saw him in the midst of the fire.⁵

⁵⁶He said: “By Allah! You were little short of bringing me to perdition!

⁵⁷“And had it not been for the grace of my Lord I should certainly have been among those brought there!

⁵⁸“Is it that we shall not die

⁵⁹“Except our first death and that we shall not be punished?”

⁶⁰Verily, this is the supreme achievement!

⁶¹For the like of this, let all strive who wish to strive.

⁵¹Qala qa ilum minhum inni kana li qarijn

⁵²Yaqulu a innaka laminal mushaddiqin

⁵³A iza mitna wa kunna turabaw wa izaman a inna lamadinun

⁵⁴Qala hal antum muttaliun

⁵⁵Fattalaa fara ahu fi sawa iljahim

⁵⁶Qala tallahi inkita laturdin

⁵⁷Wa lau la nimatu rabbi lakuntu minal muhdarin

⁵⁸Afama nahnu bimay yitin

⁵⁹Illa mautatanal ula wa ma nahnu bimuaz zabin

⁶⁰Inna haza lahuwal fauzul azim

⁶¹Limitsli haza falyamalil amilun

5. There is no indication whether this is a true story or a parable, in any case it leaves you wondering what this all about. The closest Biblical story this comes nearer to is the parable of Abraham, Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:20-25.

A beggar named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, was brought to his gate. He was always craving to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. In fact, even the dogs used to come and lick his sores. "One day the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In the afterlife, where he was in constant torture, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus by his side. So he shouted, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and to cool off my tongue, because I am suffering in this fire.' But Abraham said, 'My child, remember that during your lifetime you received blessings, while Lazarus received hardships. But now he is being comforted here, while you suffer.

⁶²Is that the better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum?⁶

⁶³For We have truly made it a trial for the wrongdoers.

⁶⁴For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of hell fire:

⁶⁵The shoots of its fruit stalks are like the heads of devils:

⁶⁶Truly, they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.

⁶⁷Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.

⁶⁸Then shall their return be to the fire.

⁶⁹Truly they found their fathers on the wrong path;

⁷⁰So they were rushed down on their footsteps!

⁷¹And truly before them many of the ancients went astray.

⁷²And We sent among them apostles to admonish them.

⁷³Then see what was the end of those who were admonished.

⁶²Azalika khairun nuzulan am sajaratuz zaq qum

⁶³Inna jaalnaha fitnatal lizzalimin

⁶⁴Innaha sajaratun takhruju fi ashlil jahim

⁶⁵Taluha ka annahu ru usussayatin

⁶⁶Fa innahum la akiluna minha famali una minhal butun

⁶⁷Summa inna lahum alaiha lasyaubam min hamim

⁶⁸Summa inna marjiahum la ilaljahim

⁶⁹Innahum alfau aba ahum dallin

⁷⁰Fahum ala atsarihim yuhraun

⁷¹Wa laqad dalla qanblahum aksarul awwalin

⁷²Wa laqad arsalna fihim munzirin

⁷³Fanzur kaifa kana aqibatul munzarin

6. Yusuf Ali in Qur’an 17:60 says that; ‘The tree Zaqqum, a bitter and pungent tree described as growing at the bottom of Hell, a type of all that is disagreeable. Muhammad Ali quoting from the dialect of Ifriqiyah, says it signifies fresh butter with dates. The Qur’an teaches that it is food of those in hell from verse 62-67.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷⁴Except the sincere servants of Allah.

⁷⁵And Noah cried to Us and We are the best to hear prayer.

⁷⁶And We delivered him and his people from the great calamity.

⁷⁷And made his progeny to endure;

⁷⁸And We left for him among generations to come in later times:

⁷⁹“Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!”

⁸⁰This is how We reward those who do right.

⁸¹For he was one of Our believing servants.

⁸²Then the rest We overwhelmed in the flood.

⁸³Verily, among those who followed his way was Abraham.⁷

⁸⁴Behold, he approached his Lord with a sound heart.

⁷⁴Illa ibadal lahil mukhlasin

⁷⁵Wa laqad nadana Nuhun falanimal mujibun

⁷⁶Wa najjainahu wa ahlahu minal karbil azim

⁷⁷Wa jaalna zurruyyatahu humul baqin

⁷⁸Wa tarakna alaihi fil akhirin

⁷⁹Salamun ala Nuhin fil alamin

⁸⁰Inna kazalika najzil muhsinin

⁸¹Innahu min ibadinal muminin

⁸²Summa agraqnal akarin

⁸³Wa ina min syiatihi la Ibrahim

⁸⁴Iz ja a rabbahu biqalbin salim

7. Abraham was not a follower of Noah, according to Genesis 12, God Himself called Abraham to follow Him, with no third person influence as it is in most conversions.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸⁵Behold, he said to his father and to his people “What is that which you worship?

⁸⁶“You desire false gods other than Allah?

⁸⁷“Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?”

⁸⁸Then did he cast a glance at the stars.

⁸⁹And he said “I am indeed sick!”

⁹⁰So they turned away from him and departed.

⁹¹Then did he turn to their gods and said “Will you not eat?...

⁹²“What is the matter with you that you speak not?”

⁹³Then did he turn upon them, striking them with the right hand.

⁹⁴Then came the worshipers with hurried steps and faced hi).

⁹⁵He said: “You worship that which you have carved?

⁹⁶“And Allah has created you and your handiwork!”

⁸⁵Iz qala liabihi wa qaumihi maza tabudun

⁸⁶A ifkan alihatan dunal lahi turidun

⁸⁷Fama zan nukum birab bil alamin

⁸⁸Fanazara nazratan fin nujum

⁸⁹Faqala inni saqim

⁹⁰Fatawal lau anhu mudbirin

⁹¹Faraga ila alihatihim faqala ala takulun

⁹²Ma lakum la tantiqun

⁹³Faraga alaihim darban bil yamin

⁹⁴Fa aqbalu ilaihi yazif fun

⁹⁵Qala atabuduna ma tanhitun

⁹⁶Wallahu khalaqakum wa ma tamalun

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹⁷They said: “Build him a furnace and throw him into the blazing fire!”⁸

⁹⁸They then sought a stratagem against him but We made them the ones most humiliated!

⁹⁹He said: “I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!

¹⁰⁰“O my Lord! grant me a righteous son!”

¹⁰¹So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.

¹⁰²Then when he reached the age of serious work with him, he said: “O my son! I see in vision that I offer you in sacrifice: now see what is your view!” He said: “O my father! do as you are commanded: you will find me if Allah so wills one practicing patience and constancy!”⁹

¹⁰³So when they had both submitted their wills and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead.

¹⁰⁴And We called out to him “O Abraham!

⁹⁷Qalubnu lahu bun yanan fa alquhu filjahim

⁹⁸Fa aradu bihi kaidan fajaalnahumul asfalin

⁹⁹Wa qala inni zahibun il a rabbi sayahdin

¹⁰⁰Rabbi habli minas salihin

¹⁰¹Fabas syarnahu bighulamin halim

¹⁰²Falam ma balaga maahus saya qala ya bunayya inni ara fil manami anni azbahuka fanzur maza tara qala ya abatifal ma tumaru satajiduni insa allahu minas sabirin

¹⁰³Falam ma aslama wa tallahu liljabin

¹⁰⁴Wa nadainahu ayya Ibrahim

8. Three Hebrew boys Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed‑nego in the day s of Nebuchadnezzar were made to go to the fiery furnace and not Abraham.

9. Abraham did not ask for a son, god promised him a son which took ten years to be fulfilled when Isaac was born. Between the time of the promise to its fulfillment, Abraham and Sarah became impatient and therefore Abraham went in to his wife’s maid and Ishmael was born (Genesis 12, 18) When Isaac was born, it was a test of faith when God asked Abraham to offer him in sacrifice to God. This did not happen to Ishmael according to Genesis 22:1-18:

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.

Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.

And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son."

So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."

And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."

Muslims say it was Ishmael that Abraham offered in sacrifice, but then again, The Qur’an even says that Jesus did not die (Qur’an 4:157-158) Allah says that Mary is another whom Jesus may have told mankind to worship in addition to Allah (Qur’an 5:115-116). So it should not be surprising if the Qur’an claims Ishmael was sacrificed instead of Isaac.

¹⁰⁵“You have already fulfilled the vision!” thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

¹⁰⁶For this was obviously a trial

¹⁰⁷And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:

¹⁰⁸And We left for him among generations in later times:

¹⁰⁹“Peace and salutation to Abraham!”

¹¹⁰This is how We reward those who do right.

¹¹¹For he was one of Our believing servants.

¹¹²And We gave him the good news of Isaac, a prophet, one of the righteous.¹⁰

¹¹³And We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are some that do right and some that obviously do wrong to their own souls.

¹¹⁴Again We bestowed Our favor on Moses and Aaron.

¹⁰⁵Qad shad daqtarruya inna kazalika najzil muhsinin

¹⁰⁶Inna haza lahuwal bala ul mubin

¹⁰⁷Wa fadainahu bizibhin azim

¹⁰⁸Wa tarakna alaihi fil akhirin

¹⁰⁹Salamun ala Ibrahim

¹¹⁰Kazalika najzil muhsinin

¹¹¹Innahu min ibadinal muminin

¹¹²Wa bas sarnaha bi Ishaqa nabiyam minas salihin

¹¹³Wa barakna alaihi wa ala Ishaq wa min zurriy yatihima muhsinuw wa zalimul linafsihi mubin

¹¹⁴Wa laqad manan na ala Musa wa Harun

10. Isaac was not a prophet, although Islam makes him out to be one. It is for this reason that the Islam teaches that are 124,000 prophets throughout the ages and they must all be believed or accepted in order to be saved.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹¹⁵And We delivered them and their people from great calamity;

¹¹⁶And We helped them so they overcame;

¹¹⁷And We gave them the book which helps to make things clear;¹¹

¹¹⁸And We guided them to the straight way.

¹¹⁹And We left this blessing for them among generations to come in later times:

¹²⁰“Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!”

¹²¹This is how We reward those who do right.

¹²²For they were two of Our believing servants.

¹²³And so also was Elias among those sent.

¹²⁴Behold he said to his people “Will you not fear?

¹²⁵“Will you call upon Baal and forsake the best of creators.

¹¹⁵Wa naj jainahuma wa qaumahuma minal karbil azim

¹¹⁶Wa nasarnahum fakanu humul galibin

¹¹⁷Wa atainahumal kitabal mustabin

¹¹⁸Wa hadainahumas siratal mustaqim

¹¹⁹Wa tarakna alaihima fil akhirin

¹²⁰Salamun ala Musa wa Harun

¹²¹Inna kazalika najzil muhsinin

¹²²Innahuma min ibadinal muminin

¹²³Wa inna Ilyasa laminal mursalin

¹²⁴Iz qala laqaumihi ala tattaqun

¹²⁵Ataduna Balaw wa tazruna ahsanal khaliqin.

11. Moses and Aaron were not given any Book, the closest they came to was the reception of the decalogue which were on two tablets of stone. Moses wrote most of the Books attributed to his name, they were not given to by Allah.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹²⁶“Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old?”

¹²⁷But they rejected him and they will certainly be called up.

¹²⁸Except the sincere and devoted servants of Allah.

¹²⁹And We left for him among generations in later times:

¹³⁰“Peace and salutation to such as Elias!”

¹³¹This is how We reward those who do right.

¹³²For He was one of Our believing servants.

¹³³And so also was Lut among those sent.

¹³⁴Behold, We delivered him and his all adherents.

¹³⁵Except an old woman who was among those who lagged behind:¹²

¹³⁶Then We destroyed the rest.

¹³⁷And verily, you pass by their sites by day.

¹²⁶Allaha rabbakum wa rabba aba Ikumul aw walin.

¹²⁷Fakaz zabuhu fa innahum lamuhdarun.

¹²⁸Illa ibadal lahil mukhlasin.

¹²⁹Wa tarakna alaihi fil akhirin.

¹³⁰Salamun ala Ilyasin.

¹³¹Inna kazalika najzil muhsinin.

¹³²Innahu min ibadinal muminin.

¹³³Wa inna Lutal laminal mursalin.

¹³⁴Iz najjainahu wa ahlahu ajmain.

¹³⁵Illa ajuzan fil gabirin.

¹³⁶Summa dammarnal akhirin.

¹³⁷Wa in nakum latamur ru_na alaihim musbihin.

12. Lot’s wife turned back and turned into a pillar of salt, and she not any ordinary old woman as the Qur’an makes it out to be.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹³⁸And by night: will you not understand?

¹³⁹So also was Jonah among those sent.

¹⁴⁰When he ran away to the ship fully laden.

¹⁴¹He agreed to cast lots and he was condemned:

¹⁴²Then the big fish did swallow him and he had done acts worthy of blame.

¹⁴³Had it not been that he repented and glorified Allah

¹⁴⁴He would certainly have remained inside the fish till the day of resurrection.

¹⁴⁵But We cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness.¹³

¹⁴⁶And We caused to grow over him a spreading plant of the gourd kind.

¹⁴⁷And We sent him to a hundred thousand men or more.

¹⁴⁸And they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy for a while.¹⁴

¹³⁸Wa bil lail afala taqilun.

¹³⁹Wa inna Yunusa laminal mursalin.

¹⁴⁰Iz abaqailal fulkil mashun.

¹⁴¹Fa sahama fa kana minal mudhadin.

¹⁴²Faltaqamahul lutu wa huwa mulim.

¹⁴³Falau la annahu kana minal musab bihin.

¹⁴⁴Lalabitsa fi bathini ila yaumi yubatsun.

¹⁴⁵Fanabaznahu bilarai wa huwa saqim.

¹⁴⁶Wa an batna alaihi sajaratam miyyaqtin.

¹⁴⁷Wa arsalnahu ila mi ati alfin au yazidun.

¹⁴⁸Fa amanu famat tanahum ila hin.

13. Jonah was not just cast out, after being in the belly of the fish, he prayed to God and the fish vomited him out on the shore of Nineveh. Jonah 2:1-10:

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, "I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, 'I am driven away from your sight; Yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.' The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!"

And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

14. When Jonah came out of the belly of the fish, he went out to preach to the city and then waited for the city to be destroyed, it was during that time that God created the plant with the wider leaves to provide shade for Jonah, he became angry when the people repented and therefore God did not have to destroy them (4:1-11).

¹⁴⁹Now ask them their opinion: is it that your Lord has daughters and they have sons?

¹⁵⁰Or that We created the angels female and they are witnesses thereto?

¹⁵¹Is it not that they say from their own invention.

¹⁵²“Has Allah begotten children”? But they are liars!

¹⁵³Did He choose daughters rather than sons?

¹⁵⁴What is the matter with you? How do you judge?

¹⁵⁵Will you not then receive admonition?

¹⁵⁶Or have you an authority manifest?

¹⁵⁷Then bring your book if you are truthful.

¹⁵⁸And they have invented a blood relationship between Him and the jinns: but the jinns know that they have indeed to appear before His judgment-seat!

¹⁴⁹Fastaftihim alirab bikal banatu wa lahumul banun.

¹⁵⁰Am khalaqnal malaikata inatsan wahum sahidun.

¹⁵¹Ala in nahum min ifkihim layakulun.

¹⁵²Waladal lahu wa innahum lakazibun.

¹⁵³Astafal banati alal banin.

¹⁵⁴Ma lakum kaifa tahkumun.

¹⁵⁵Afala tazak karun.

¹⁵⁶Am lakum sultanikum mubin.

¹⁵⁷Fatu bikitabikum inkuntum sadiqin.

¹⁵⁸Wa jaalu bainahu wa bainal jinnati nasaba wa laqad alimatil jinnatu in nahum lamudarun.

¹⁵⁹Glory to Allah! He is free from the things they ascribe to Him!

¹⁶⁰Not so the servants of Allah, sincere and devoted.

¹⁶¹For verily, neither you nor those you worship.

¹⁶²Can lead into temptation concerning Allah

¹⁶³Except such as are going to the blazing fire!

¹⁶⁴“And not one of us but has a place appointed.”

¹⁶⁵“And verily, we are ranged in ranks for service:

¹⁶⁶“And verily, we are those who declare Allah’s glory!”

¹⁶⁷And there were those who said.

¹⁶⁸“If only we had had before us a message from those of old.

¹⁶⁹“We should certainly have been servants of Allah!”

¹⁷⁰But they reject it: but soon will they know!

¹⁷¹And already has Our word been passed before to Our servants sent.

¹⁵⁹Subhanal lahi amma yasifun

¹⁶⁰Illa ibadal lahil mukhlasin

¹⁶¹Fa innakum wa ma tabudun

¹⁶²Ma antum alaihi bifatinin

¹⁶³Illa man huwa salil jahim

¹⁶⁴Wa ma minna illa lahu maqamum malun

¹⁶⁵Wa inna lanahnus saffun

¹⁶⁶Wa inna lanahnul musab bihun

¹⁶⁷Wa inkanu layaqulun

¹⁶⁸Lau anna indana zikram minal aw walin

¹⁶⁹Lakunna ibadallahil mukhlasin

¹⁷⁰Fakafaru bihi fasaufa yalamun

¹⁷¹Wa laqad sabaqat kalimatuna ibadinal mursalin

¹⁷²That they would certainly be assisted

¹⁷³And that Our forces they surely must conquer.

¹⁷⁴So turn away from them for a little while.

¹⁷⁵And watch them and they soon shall see!

¹⁷⁶Do they wish to hurry on Our punishment?

¹⁷⁷But when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned!

¹⁷⁸So turn away from them for a little while,

¹⁷⁹And watch, and they soon shall see!

¹⁸⁰Glory to your Lord, the Lord of honor and power! He is free from what they ascribe to Him!

¹⁸¹And peace on the apostles!

¹⁸²And praise to Allah the Lord of the worlds.

¹⁷²Innahum lahumul mansurun

¹⁷³Wa inna jundana lahumul galibun

¹⁷⁴Fa tawalla anhum hatta hin

¹⁷⁵Wa absirhum fa saufa yubsirun

¹⁷⁶Afabiazabina yastajilun

¹⁷⁷Fa iza nazala bisahatihim fa sa a sabahul munzarin

¹⁷⁸Wa tawalla anhum hatta hin

¹⁷⁹Wa absir fasaufa yubsirun

¹⁸⁰Subhana rabbika rabbil izzati amma yasifun

¹⁸¹Wa salamun alal mursalin

¹⁸²Wal hamdu lil lahi rabbil alamin