Surah As-Saffat 37:141
ﲆ ﲇ ﲈ ﲉ
And he drew lots and was among the losers.
Tafsir of As-Saffat 37:141
Tafsir
Ruh al-Ma'ani
Verse range: 37:141
(فَسَاهَمَ) He drew lots, meaning he cast lots, peace be upon him, with those who were on the ship. Those who argue for the legitimacy of drawing lots (al-qur'ah) have cited this as evidence.
(فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُدْحَضِينَ) He became among those who were defeated by the drawing of lots. Its origin refers to being pushed away or caused to slip; it is a passive participle derived from a position of success.
It is narrated that he promised his people punishment and informed them that it would come to them within three days. When the third day arrived, Jonah (Yunus) departed before God, Exalted be He, had granted him permission. His people missed him, so they went out with the young and the old, as well as their livestock, and separated every mother from her offspring. As the punishment was about to descend upon them, they cried out to God, Exalted be He, and turned in repentance, asking for their transgression to be overlooked, and God overlooked it for them and averted the punishment.
When Jonah did not see the punishment descend, he was ashamed to return to them and said: "I will never return to them as a liar." He went on his way until he reached a ship and boarded it. When the ship reached the deep water, it stopped and would not sail. Its captain said, "Nothing prevents it from sailing except that there is an ill-omened man among you." They drew lots to cast whoever the lot fell upon into the water. It fell upon Jonah. They drew lots again, and it fell upon him. They drew lots a third time, and it fell upon him. When he saw that, he cast himself into the water.