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Yunus (Jonah), the prophet swallowed by the whale
Yunus (Jonah)
The Trial of Yunus
In the Belly of the Whale
His Prayer
The Mercy of Allah
His Return
The Lesson of Patience
The Success of His Mission
His Example for the Believers
Important Note
This collection brings together a selection of authentic texts about the Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him). The English translations are given as a guide.
- Refer to the original Arabic texts
- Consult the commentaries of the scholars
- Study the historical context of each account
- Check the authentic sources
Yunus: discover the inspiring story of this prophet of Islam
Yunus, also known as Jonah in the Christian tradition, holds a particular place among the prophets of Islam. His story, told in the Quran, is a perfect illustration of divine mercy and of the importance of patience in the face of trials.
Sent to the people of Nineveh, an ancient city in present-day Iraq, the Prophet Yunus was charged with guiding its people to the way of Allah. Faced with the rejection of his message and the obstinacy of his people, he left the city without waiting for divine permission. That hasty decision was the beginning of a deep spiritual trial .
On his voyage at sea, a violent storm threatened the ship. The crew, looking to find the cause of this divine anger, marked out Yunus by drawing lots. He was then cast into the sea and swallowed by a great whale. In the darkness of the animal's belly, the prophet understood his fault and turned to Allah with a prayer that has become famous: "There is no deity but You; glory be to You; I have indeed been among the wrongdoers."
That sincere prayer was answered, and Allah commanded the whale to cast Yunus onto the shore. Weakened but spiritually changed, the prophet returned to his people. This time the people of Nineveh received his message and repented as one, and so escaped the divine punishment.
The story of Yunus teaches that patience and trust in Allah are essential to the prophetic mission. It also reminds us that sincere repentance always opens the doors of divine mercy. To deepen your knowledge of the other messengers, see our section on the prophets of Islam or explore the supplications drawn from their teachings.
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ReadYou may be wondering…
Who is the Prophet Yunus?
Yunus (Jonah), son of Matta, is a prophet named in several surahs of the Quran, one of which bears his name. He was sent to the people of Nineveh, an ancient city in present-day Iraq. The Quran calls him Dhun-Nun, the man of the fish, and Sahib al-Hut, the companion of the whale, in reference to his trial.
Why was Yunus swallowed by the whale?
Faced with his people's rejection, Yunus left the city in anger, without waiting for Allah's leave. On an overloaded ship caught in a storm, a drawing of lots marked him out to be cast into the sea, and a great fish swallowed him (Surah As-Saffat, 139-142). That trial was a divine correction for his hasty departure.
What is the prayer of Yunus?
In the darkness of the whale's belly, Yunus called out: La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu mina az-zalimin — There is no deity but You; glory be to You; I have indeed been among the wrongdoers (Surah Al-Anbiya, 87). Allah answered him and saved him. Muslims recite this prayer in times of distress.
Did the people of Yunus come to believe in the end?
Yes. The Quran points out that the people of Yunus are the only ones whose whole city believed in time, and so were spared the punishment (Surah Yunus, 98). After being cast onto the shore and restored under a gourd plant, Yunus was sent to a hundred thousand people or more, and they believed.
What does the story of Yunus teach us?
It reminds us that patience and trust in Allah are essential, and that sincere repentance always opens the doors of mercy. The Quran calls on the Prophet ﷺ not to be like the man of the fish in his haste (Surah Al-Qalam, 48), while a hadith of Al-Bukhari forbids anyone to claim to be better than Yunus.