Prophet Yunus (‘a)

Prophets of Allah

Long ago in the town of Naynawa, there lived a kind and trustworthy man called Yunus. Yunus (‘a) used to preach the Oneness of Allah as most of the people in the town were idol worshippers. Every day, he used to stand on the pulpit and talk to the people.

The people did not like his teachings and made fun of what he said. They would shout: We and our forefathers have worshipped these gods for many years and no We and our forefathers have worshipped these gods for many years and no harm has come to us. Why the sudden change?! harm has come to us. Why the sudden change?! Prophet Yunus (‘a) felt very sad and complained to Allah.

Prophet Yunus warned the people that if they continue in this way, Allah’s punishment will fall upon them. However, the people did not pay any heed. When he saw that nobody was listening to him, Yunus (‘a) left the town. He embarked on a small ship with other passengers.

All day long, the ship sailed calmly but when night came, a strong wind began blowing. The waves rose up as high as mountains then plunged down like valleys, tossing over the ship and sweeping over the deck. The captain of the boat suggested that they draw lots as one person had to jump out.

Not once but three times, the name of Prophet Yunus was cast. Yunus (‘a) was thrown out of the boat into the big blue sea. He was very scared.

Soon after, a whale appeared and swallowed Yunus (‘a), its ivory teeth closing on him as if they were white bolts locking the door of his prison. In the darkness of the whale’s stomach, he cried out to Allah…

O my Creator and Nurturer. There is no God but You. You are the Absolute One. Verily I have been one of the wrong doers.

Al-Quran (21:87)

Finally, by the command of Allah, the whale came to the seashore removed Yunus (‘a) from his belly. His body was inflamed because of the acids inside the stomach of the whale. The rays of the sun made it worse. Allah caused a bush to grow near him for protection.

When Yunus (‘a) regained his strength, he walked towards NainawaWhen Yunus (‘a) regained his strength, he walked towards Nainawa.

Meanwhile, in Nainawa, when the sky began to darken, one of the followers of Meanwhile, in Nainawa, when the sky began to darken, one of the followers of Yunus (‘a) gathered the people and spoke sternly to them: Yunus (‘a) gathered the people and spoke sternly to them: This is the punishment This is the punishment of Allah on us. Break your idols now and ask for forgiveness! of Allah on us. Break your idols now and ask for forgiveness! The people realized The people realized their mistake and began to repent.their mistake and began to repent.

After sometime, the sky cleared. As the people began to celebrate, Yunus (‘a) entered the city. They gave him a warm welcome and he was amazed to find out that they had given up idol-worshipping. He thus spent the rest of his life guiding them on the right path.

F. T. Jaffer