Science
Baleen whales—such as humpback, blue, and gray whales—are filter feeders. Instead of teeth, they possess baleen plates made of keratin, which function like a natural sieve. These plates enable them to strain small prey, including krill, plankton, and tiny fish, from the water.
During feeding, baleen whales engulf massive volumes of water and prey, then force the water back out through the baleen plates while trapping the food. Despite their enormous mouths and their ability to consume tons of krill each day, their esophagus is surprisingly narrow, typically only 15 to 25 centimeters wide. As a result, it is physically impossible for them to swallow a human. Even if a person were to end up inside a baleen whale’s mouth, the whale would expel them because it cannot ingest objects of that size.
Toothed whales, such as sperm whales, are anatomically different. They have large, powerful teeth capable of biting and breaking bones, and they can swallow sizable prey—including, in theory, a human. However, their multi‑chambered stomachs contain highly acidic digestive fluids and offer no oxygen, conditions that would be fatal to any person swallowed.
Raw pumpkin is safe to eat, and it offers a variety of health benefits. Its high fiber and water content help keep you full for longer, supporting steady energy throughout the day. The peel contains polysaccharides that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria while limiting harmful microbes. Pumpkin is also rich in zinc and vitamin A, nutrients that may strengthen the intestinal barrier.
In addition, pumpkin’s beta‑carotene is a powerful compound that supports the immune system and other essential bodily functions. Vitamins A, C, and E found in pumpkin may help protect the gut lining, which plays an important role in defending the body against germs and infections.
Qur'an
Prophet Jonah (PBUH) is mentioned in several verses of the Holy Qur’an. He devoted himself to guiding his people to worship Allah (SWT), but they rejected his message. They ignored him, mocked him, and resisted his efforts until he eventually left them in anger, praying that a calamity might awaken them to the truth. He traveled to a seaport and boarded a heavily loaded ship. During the voyage, a violent storm struck, and the ship was at risk of sinking under its weight. The crew threw their cargo overboard to lighten the load, but when that proved insufficient, they resorted to casting lots to decide who among them would be thrown into the sea. Prophet Jonah’s name was drawn.
After he was cast into the water, a great whale engulfed him by the command of Allah (SWT). The exact length of time he remained inside the whale is unknown, but in that darkness and distress, he glorified Allah (SWT) and acknowledged his shortcomings. It was a test like the Prophet Abraham being thrown into the fire. If you pass the test, you are raised spiritually!
Allah (SWT) then commanded the whale to release him safely onto a shore. Although spiritually strengthened, Prophet Jonah (PBUH) was physically weakened. Allah (SWT) caused a pumpkin vine to grow (climbing a nearby tree trunk), its fruit providing nourishment and its broad leaves offering shade as he recovered. When he returned to his people, he found that they had repented and come to believe in Allah (SWT). One of his followers had informed them that the prophet had departed and that a divine punishment was approaching unless they turned back to Allah (SWT) in sincere repentance.
Whale – As we saw in the science section above, it must have been a baleen whale travelling on the surface of water. Baleen whales don’t have teeth and can’t swallow large objects.
Mouth or stomach – He must have been in the mouth of the whale and behind the baleen curtains to be able to breath and being away from the acidic contents of stomach.
Duration – It’s unknown but it doesn’t matter. The important thing to consider is the test and how the prophet dealt with it.
Pumpkin – The Holy Qur’an mentions “tree of pumpkin - شَجَرَةً مِّن يَقْطِينٍ ”. It doesn’t say “pumpkin tree - شَجَرَةً يَقْطِينٍ ”. A “tree of pumpkin” refers to a pumpkin vine creeping up a nearby tree or an object.
Lesson – In times of stress (family, society, economic, political, etc.), we should realize our shortcomings and put our trust in Allah (SWT).
وَذَا ٱلنُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَـٰضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ أَن لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him.
And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." 21:87
وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
And indeed, Jonah was among the messengers. 37:139
إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ
[Mention] when he ran away to the laden ship. 37:140
فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُدْحَضِينَ
And he drew lots and was among the losers. 37:141
فَٱلْتَقَمَهُ ٱلْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ
Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blaming himself. 37:142
فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ
And had he not been of those who exalt Allah , 37:143
لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِهِۦٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected. 37:144
فَنَبَذْنَـٰهُ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌ
But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill. 37:145
وَأَنۢبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةً مِّن يَقْطِينٍ
And We caused to grow over him a gourd vine. 37:146
وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِا۟ئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ
And We sent him to [his people of] a hundred thousand or more. 37:147
فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعْنَـٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time. 37:148