Yūnus (AS)

Jonah, known in Arabic as Yūnus, is a prophet mentioned in the Qurʾān who was sent by Allah to the people of Nineveh. Islamic tradition regards him as one of the noble prophets who called his people to worship Allah alone and abandon disbelief. He is also referred to in the Qurʾān as Dhū al-Nūn (“the Companion of the Fish”) because of the famous episode in which he was swallowed by a great sea creature after leaving his people before receiving divine permission. His story is presented in the Qurʾān as a profound lesson concerning repentance, patience, and trust in Allah.

According to the Qurʾānic narrative, Yūnus (AS) became distressed by the persistent rejection of his people and departed from them in anger. He boarded a ship that encountered a violent storm, and lots were cast among the passengers to determine who should be thrown overboard to lighten the vessel. Yūnus (AS) was chosen and cast into the sea, where Allah caused a great fish to swallow him. While in darkness within the belly of the fish, he turned to Allah in sincere repentance and supplication, proclaiming: “There is no god except You; glory be to You! Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers” (Qurʾān 21:87). Muslim scholars regard this prayer as one of the greatest supplications of repentance and humility in Islamic tradition.

The Qurʾān states that Allah accepted Yūnus’s repentance and delivered him safely from the fish, causing him to be cast upon the shore weak and ill. Allah then restored him and sent him once more to his people, who this time accepted faith and were spared divine punishment. The people of Yūnus (AS) are unique in the Qurʾān because they collectively repented before punishment descended upon them, thereby receiving Allah’s mercy. Muslim exegetes emphasized this aspect of the narrative as evidence of the transformative power of sincere repentance and divine compassion.

Yūnus (AS) occupies an important place in Islamic theology and spirituality as a prophet whose temporary lapse in patience was corrected through repentance and divine mercy. Classical mufassirūn and historians discussed his mission extensively, often identifying Nineveh in ancient Mesopotamia as the setting of his prophetic call. His story became central in Islamic teachings concerning repentance, endurance in daʿwah, and reliance upon Allah during hardship. The supplication of Yūnus (AS) remains widely recited by Muslims seeking relief from distress and forgiveness from Allah.