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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 (mention) Dhun-Nun when he went off in anger and deemed that We had no
power over him but he cried out in darkness, saying: There is no god save
Thee. Be Thou glorified! Lo! I have been an evil-doer." (11 ·: 87)
"But wait thou for thy Lord's decree and be not like the Sahibil-Hut who
cried out in fear." (68 :48)
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 prophethood 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 realised 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 lo! Yunus verily was of those sent ( to warn). When he fled into the
ladenship, then drew lots and was of those rejected, the fish swallowed him
while he was blameworthy, and had he not been one of those who glorify
Allah, he would have tarried in its belly till the Day of Resurrection, then
We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick and We caused a tree of
gourd to grow above him, and We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or
more. And they believed, therefore We gave him comfort for a while." (27:
139-i18)
When Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) regained his health, he was commanded
to go back to the same town and fulfil 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:
"When they believed, We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the
life of the world and permitted them to enjoy their life for a while."
(10:98)
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. |
