The Dual Theme in the Stories of the Prophets in Q 37 As-Saffat

The passage from Q 37 As-Saffat in the Qur’an, verses 75-148, is a significant text that presents the stories of prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses and Aaron, Elijah, Lot, and Jonah. It is particularly noted for its detailed account of Jonah and the unique narrative of Abraham’s binding of his son, which has sparked debates on the son’s identity. The text’s structure, which has been remained obscure in the scholarship, revolves around two themes: the deliverance of prophets and their kin, and the fate of their communities, contrasting Allah’s chosen messengers with their deviant followers. This structure is not chronological but thematic, separating the prophets’ salvation from their people’s outcomes. The analysis aims to clarify the literary structure, showing how the dual theme informs each prophet’s story and addresses narrative complexities within these verses and how this new reading would contribute to our understanding of the Qur'anic reception of the Bible.