The Prophet Jonah and the Fish: Death, Sheol, and Rebirth in the Qur'an and Bible

Introduction

The story of the Prophet Yunus (Jonah) being swallowed by a fish is well-known across religious traditions. However, when studied carefully through the lenses of the Qur'an, the Bible, and symbolic interpretation, the event reveals far deeper meaning than a miraculous survival story. This article presents the case that Jonah did not survive inside the fish, but died and was later revived by divine mercy, turning the fish into both a literal grave and a symbolic womb.