Prophet Yunus (PBUH)

The Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) is also addressed by two other surnames "Dhun-Nun" (Lord of the Fish) and "Sahibil-Hot" (Companion of the Fish).  The Holy Qur'an says: And Yunus, when he went away in wrath, so he thought that We would not straiten him, so out he called out among afflictions: there is no God but Thou, glory be to Thee, surely I am of those who make themselves to suffer loss. The Holy Qur'an (surah 21, The Prophets, verse 87) 

Yunus (Jonah) was the son of Mitta according to a Tradition quoted in Sahih Bukhari but the Torah states that his father"s name was Amittai.

When the prophet hood was conferred upon him, he was commanded to go Nineveh for preaching the true faith of God.  Nineveh was situated on the right bank of the river Tigris.  It was the capital city of Assyria.  Its people were arrogant and conceited. They led sinful lives.  The Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) tried his best to reform them but they turned a deaf ear to his advice and warnings.  Soon he began to feel disgusted.  Consequently human frailty overpowered him.  He flew into a rage and invoked Allah"s wrath on the people of Nineveh. He became impatient and departed without waiting for further command from Allah. He imagined perhaps God had no power over him. The Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) proceeded towards the sea and took a boat.  Unfortunately the boat was caught in a storm. The sailors held him responsible for bringing misfortune to the boat.  They decided to throw Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) into the water but the passengers did not agree to their decision. Then lots were drawn and the name of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) came out.  The Prophet Yunus was thrown into the sea for the safety of the boat.  When Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) fell into the water, a great fish with capacious belly drew him in.  He was in extreme distress. He realized that he had to suffer for committing dereliction towards his duty as a prophet.  Instead of running away he must have relied upon the power of Allah even in the most discouraged circumstances.

The Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) felt penitence and supplicated to Allah in the humblest tone.  His repentance was accepted and he was to be delivered ashore. He was provided with the shelter of a spreading plant.  The Holy Qur"an relates this incident in the following Verses:

And Yunus was most surely of the apostles. When he ran away to a ship completely laden, so he shared (with them), but was of those who are cast off. So the fish swallowed him while he did that for which he blamed himself. But had it not been that he was of those who glorify (us), He would certainly have tarried in its belly to the day when they are raised. Then we cast him on to the vacant surface of the earth while he was sick. And we caused to grow up for him a gourd plant. And W e sent him to hundred thousand, rather they exceeded. And they believed, so we gave them provision till a time. The Holy Qur'an (surah 37, Those Ranged in Ranks, verses 139 to 48)

When Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) regained his health, he was commanded to go back to the same town and fulfill his mission of making the people give up their iniquitous life. Now the people of Nineveh repented and followed their Prophet.  God showed mercy and they prospered remarkably. They got a new lease of glorious life.   The Holy Qur"an says:

Gradually the people of Nineveh again adopted evil ways of life.   They indulged in idol-worship and debauchery.  Eventually they were destroyed by the Scythians.  The Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) died in Nineveh and was buried there. According to the story of some of the historians his tomb is in the village Halmol about ten miles away from Hebron.

Source:rafed.net

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