Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام): Mission to Nineveh and His Divine Test
Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) is a native of the city Mosul situated along the left bank the Tigris River in Iraq.
He was a descendant from Prophet Hud (علیہ السلام). In the opposite direction of Mosul was the city Nineveh that was flourishing at the time, and was an important home for the Thamud inhabitants.
There was a population of Nineveh overcame 1 million. In the Quran:
Surah As-Saffat, 37:147 “
And We sent him to a hundred thousand or more people.”
Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was just 28 years old at the time Allah gave him the command to guide the inhabitants of Nineveh. According to the experts the time of Prophet Yunus Was Between 781 And 741 BC.
The name of the Prophet is mentioned in six chapters in the Quran: Surah An-Nisa, Surah Al-An’am Surah Yunus Surah As-Saffat Surah Al-Anbiya, as well as Surah Al-Qalam.
In the beginning four chapters, the name appears specifically mentioned. However, in the final two chapters his name is mentioned by the names of “Dhul-Nun” (the one of the fish) as well as “Sahib al-Hoot” (the one of the whale) in reference to his being inside the fish’s stomach for a period of time.
The phrase “Nun” refers to a massive fish. The the Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) had spent a number of days in the stomach of the fish which earned him the name as “the one of the fish”.
It is believed that the Quranic Surah Yunus is named for him, and focuses on his purpose and the obstacles that he had to overcome in his mission of the direction of
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Table of Contents
The Epic Story of Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) in Islam
Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was appointed to lead his people in Nineveh toward Tawhid (worship of a single God) as well as to dissuade the worship of idols.
In the past the Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) advised his followers to only worship Allah and Allah, however they disapproved of the message. People, brimming with arrogance and pride, ridiculed his words, as a lot of unfaithful nations have done.
In the event that their disobedience was at its highest, Allah commanded Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) to inform those who disobeyed him that they would be facing severe consequences within 3 days. Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) announced this to the masses.
After hearing this news when they heard this, the inhabitants in Nineveh began to talk among themselves. They all agreed to the fact that prophet Yunus was recognized for speaking the truth and shouldn’t be disregarded.
They agreed that should Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) kept his place in the city it would not be subject to consequence. If he did leave they believed that punishment will surely be the following day. Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) fled the city in that evening.
In the next day, dark cloud and black smoke rose and hung across the entire city. As the smoke got closer and closer, people began to realize they faced Allah’s punishment.
They immediately sought the Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) and hoped to turn their backs and avoid punishment. The Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) wasn’t found.
They then All Gathered Together With Children, women and even animals. They entered the fields in bags of sackcloth and cried in prayer for Allah’s mercy. Allah took their confession and then lifted the penalty from their punishment.
The legend says that the happened on the 10th day of Muharram (Ashura). Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) who lived in the outskirts of the city was concerned that his people would believe he was a fraud due to his prediction of the consequences.
In the laws in the day when a person proved as a lie then they could be executed. Afraid of this, prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) took the decision to flee the city and headed towards the coast and found an unmanned ship.
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The Miraculous Journey of Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) Inside the Fish
The moment Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was on board the ship and was recognized by the passengers, he was greeted with a smile He was then allowed to enter the ship without having to pay.
But, when the vessel was in the middle of the ocean, it did not move. The crew realized that something wasn’t right, and they believed somebody on board was the culprit.
They opted to draw lots to determine the person responsible The Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was picked. The group was shocked when they were drawn multiple times and every time Prophet Yunus’s name was mentioned.
Then an enormous fish upon Allah’s instruction it opened its mouth close to the ship, and swallowed the Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام). The fish remained in its stomach for a few days.
According to some reports, he was there for 40 days some say 7, or five days. In this period prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was praying:
“La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka inni kuntu min al-zalimin”
Translated: “There is no deity but You. Glory is to You. Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.“
Allah took his request The fish accepted the prayer and spit his body off onto the beach. His body was affected by the stomach of the fish as well as his hair been shaved off.
Allah created a plant to sprout in honor of Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) to provide shading and to provide the comfort of. Additionally, a wild goat was seen every morning and at night to provide the Prophet with milk.
The story is mentioned in the Quran as well as supported by Hadith illustrates the strength of Allah’s mercy. It also demonstrates the significance of repentance, as well as what happens when you reject God’s guidance.
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The praise of Marine Animals and the story of Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام)
It’s narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira) of the time that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ declared, “When Allah decided to confine Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) in the belly of the fish, He commanded the fish: ‘Take him, but do not consume his flesh, for it is not your food.'”
The moment the fish transported Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) into the depths below the ocean, Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was able to hear some noises. Allah later revealed to him, “This is the praise of the sea creatures.”
In this instant, the prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was also exalted by Allah. As the angels were hearing his praise, they reacted to Allah by saying “O our Lord! We hear a faint and weak voice from an unknown land.” Allah said, “This is My servant Yunus.”
The angels replied “He is a righteous servant, and every day and night, his good deeds reach You.”
Allah also confirmed that, “Yes, he praises Me greatly.” The angels intervened on behalf of the Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) as Allah directed the fish to let him go. He then tossed his body into the ocean.
Prophet Yunus's Physical Condition After Being Swallowed by the Fish
In Surah As-Saffat (37:145-146), Allah Says:
“Then We threw him onto the shore while he was ill, and We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him.”
Because of his time inside the stomach of the fish the prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام)’s physique was fragile and weak.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mashood said the Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was so weak the creature was similar to a baby chick who had just laid eggs and was still developing feathers.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas as well as Hazrat Zaid said that his condition was having the characteristics infants that was completely fragile and soft as raw cotton, without any flesh over his body.
The story goes on to say that while Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was in the fish was worried that the possibility of his death was real.
When he started moving his legs and felt his limbs move, he instantly was in a state of prostration, and then prayed for Allah and said “O my Lord, I make this place a place of worship, where no one has worshiped You before.”
The blessings of Allah's praise The Epic Story of Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام)
Within the Quran, Allah Almighty mentions:
“Had he not glorified Allah (in the fish’s belly), he would have remained in the fish’s stomach until the Day they are resurrected.”(Surah As-Saffat 37:143-144)
in the Tafsir in the Tafsir Ibn Jarir Ibn Jarir, it’s recorded by Hazrat Sa’d bin Malik who said that he heard prophet Muhammad declare:
“When Allah is called upon with this name, the prayer is accepted, and whatever is asked for, Allah grants it.” This is the prayer of the Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام).
A narrator inquired, “O Messenger of Allah (Sly llh `lyh wslm), is this prayer special for Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) or is it for all Muslims?”
“The prophet (علیہ السلام) responded, “It is special for Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام), but it is general for the believers when they call upon Allah with this prayer.”
“The Prophet (Sly llh, lyh, wslm) also asked “Did you not hear Allah’s words?”
“So Yunus (علیہ السلام) called upon his Lord in the darkness (of the fish’s belly), saying, ‘There is no deity but You. Glory is to You. Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.’ So We responded to his call and saved him from his grief. And thus do We save the believers.”
According to Hazrat Sa’d In the narration, it’s stated that the Prophet Muhammad (علیہ السلام) declared:
“Whoever calls upon Allah with the prayer of Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام), their Prayer Will Surely Be Accepted.”
(Ibn Kathir)
The Door of Repentance is Never Closed
Of all the nations before us The example of the Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام)’s population is distinctive in the sense the fact that they repented in sincere humility, and cried out to Allah prior to their punishment. Allah was merciful and took away the penalty off the people.
But, other nations like the followers who were the people of Prophet Noah (علیہ السلام) as well as Prophet Hud (علیہ السلام) and Prophet Salih (علیہ السلام) and Prophet Lot (علیہ السلام) continued to stand firm in their denial and worship of idols despite repeatedly being warned.
They refused to listen to the advice by Allah and continued their path of sin. They ended up being a victim of the fury of Allah and resulting in the destruction of their entire society.
The Quran, Allah says:
“Then why was there not, among the cities, a people who believed and whose belief would have benefitted them, except for the people of Yunus? When they believed, We removed from them the disgraceful punishment of The Life of this world and allowed them to enjoy for a time.”
(Surah Yunus, 10:98)
It is important to remember that repentance’s doors remain in the open for as long as death penalty in the world has not yet arrived.
After the punishment for the Hereafter is in place Repentance can no longer be recognized as a valid option. The punishment for the future will be revealed in day of judgment, Day of Judgment or at the time of death.
The Hadith of Jami’ at-Tirmidhi narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah (علیہ السلام) declared: Allah continues to be apprehensive about the repentance of His servant till the point of the ghargara (the end of the world)
The word ghargara means the moment where the soul is due to depart from the body in naza’ (the throes of death).
When the soul is at the point of death, the world’s acts cease and the judgement of the afterlife commences and makes any future acts or repentances unacceptable.
Conclusion
The story of the Prophet Yunus is a constant illustration of Allah’s endless mercy and the power of repentance that is sincere and the significance of a firm faith.
In spite of initial opposition from his people His message eventually brought about mass repentance. This is a rare event in the history of prophetic prophecy.
His time in the belly the fish and the prayer he prayed with such passion, “La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka inni kuntu min al-zalimin,” was transformed into an expression of submission and humility to Allah.
This incredible journey shows us that no matter how far we’ve gone the door to forgiveness is always open – even to death.
Prophet Yunus,s story provides an inspiring reminder for all believers to seek Allah in times of hardship, ask Forgiveness And Never Lose Faith.
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