The Life of Prophet Yunus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام - (Part 2)

Events of the Prophets

Prophet Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام

Part 2

Mawlana Adnan Ahmed Attari Madani

Announcement of Punishment

Prophet Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام complained of his nation to Allah Almighty, saying, “O my Lord! My people have rejected and belied me.”

He was informed: “Return to them again. Either they embrace faith, otherwise announce to them that punishment will overtake them in the morning.”

In some narrations it is mentioned that he announced the punishment to his nation after three days. The people said amongst themselves, “We have not found him to lie. Keep an eye on him. If he does not spend the night in this inhabitation and leaves, then know that punishment will descend in the morning.” When half the night had passed, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام put some food in his bag and came out from the inhabitation.[1]

Repentance of his nation

When signs of the descent of punishment began to manifest, the people repented, and the punishment was averted. However, he was not made aware of the punishment being withheld.

Separation from the people of Nineveh

Whenever a person would be proven to be a liar in that nation, he would be put to death. He was indeed truthful, but he believed the people would belie him and kill him. Therefore, without receiving revelation from Allah Almighty, he went towards the river.[2]

Losing his children: a test from Allah

According to one view, he took his wife and two children towards the bank of the Tigris River. A boat arrived, but because of its many passengers, it was said, “We can only take one person.” So, he put his wife on the boat. He saw a second boat and moved towards it. Meanwhile, one of his sons neared the edge of the bank, slipped, fell into the river and drowned. Furthermore, the second son was attacked and killed by a wolf. When he returned, he found one son’s body floating on the water and another son’s body devoured by a wolf. He understood this as a trial from Allah Almighty. Eventually he boarded the second boat to reach his wife.[3]

Boat halted in the river

When the boat reached the middle of the river, it came to a halt and would not move. The sailors said, “There is a fugitive slave on this boat. Draw lots and he will be identified.” Lots were drawn three times, and each time his name was drawn.

Seeing this, he said, “I am that slave,” and cast himself into the water.[4]

A whale opens its mouth

In one narration, Prophet Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام himself said, “O people of this boat! Put me into the water.” They wanted to put him into the water from the bow of the boat, when a whale appeared with its mouth open.

He said, “Put me into the water from the stern of the boat.” Upon looking, the same whale was visible there. When they tried from both sides of the middle of the boat, the same whale appeared open-mouthed. Seeing all of this, he said, “Put me into the water and gain salvation.” When he was cast towards the water, the whale swallowed him before he could fall into the water.[5]

In the belly of the whale

The whale received the command of Allah Almighty, “Do not harm even a hair on him. I have made your stomach a confinement for him and have not made him food for you.”[6] Reaching the whale’s belly, he thought he had passed away, so he spread out his legs. Then, he moved his head, legs and body and realised he was alive.[7]

Unique place of prostration

The whale descended with him to its place deep into the water. He saw that the water, sand and everything began to glorify Allah Almighty.[8] Observing this, he pleaded in the court of Allah Almighty, “Oath by Your majesty! I will make this a place of prostration, which none has made a place of prostration before me.” Then, he began to worship Allah Almighty in the whale’s belly.[9]

40 days inside the whale

The whale remained swimming through the sea for forty days. During this time, Prophet Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام heard the glorification of jinn, fish and such aquatic creatures that he could not see.[10]

Allah’s Greatest Name in the supplication of Prophet Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام

Upon the completion of forty days, grief overcame him, and he tearfully supplicated:[11]

لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنْتَ سُبْحٰنَكَ اِنِّیْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ

“'There is no god except You. Glory be to You. Indeed, an out-of-place (act) occurred from me.”[12]

His supplication gained acceptance, and his trial came to an end.

Dear Islamic brothers, the supplication of Prophet Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام is that which the beloved Prophet   صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself spoke of and said: “Shall I not guide you to the greatest name of Allah Almighty, which when supplication is made to Him through it, He answers, and when He is asked through it, He grants? It is the supplication which Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام supplicated with when he called out to Allah three times in the darkness:    لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنْتَ سُبْحٰنَكَ اِنِّیْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ.”[13]

It should be remembered that this supplication is not specific to Prophet Yūnus عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, rather it is for all Muslims. Whenever they supplicate with these words, their supplication will be answered.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم