THE 18 LESSONS FROM
THE STORY OF
PROPHET YUNUS (AS)
(Jonah)
CHAPTER 14
January 11 2014 / 10 Rabi Al Awwal 1435 Hijri
By Shaikh Abdullah Al Faisal
Noted Taken By AlGharaba
Hujjah By: AT3/AT9/Mujjahidah101
Edited By Abu Hafiza & Jansep2001
Story of Yunus (AS) will follow, today
It is a short story
We will extract 18 lessons from this story
Yunus is known in English as Jonah
The same way Idris (AS) is known as Enoch (AS)
He was sent to the people of Ninevah
This is in Iraq in the city of Mosul
Ninevah is an old name, which has been changed now
Yunus (AS) warned his people against kufr, shirk and superstition
for 33 years
But they did not believe in his message and claimed they will hang
on to what their fathers worshipped
As Allah (SWT) said:
When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah has sent
down." They say: "Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers
following." (Would they do that!) Even though their fathers did not
understand anything nor were they guided?
(Al-Baqarah 2:170)
After preaching for 33 years only two people believed in his
message
In his prophet hood
One was a scholar and one a worshipper
The worshipper is called Tahooka and the scholar Roobeel
So prophet Yunus (AS) got fed up and despaired
He gave up on his people and so made a Dua to Allah (SWT) to send
His punishment on his people
But before he despaired, he called for a mashura with the two
believers.
The scholar advised him to stay with his people.
But the worshipper advised him to leave because the heart's of his
people are sealed and he was wasting his seed on a barren land.
But he went along with the opinion of the worshipper and so made dua to
Allah (SWT) against his people to bring down His wrath on them.
Allah (SWT) gave him a date that the wrath will come.
It was the middle Wednesday of Shawwal.
So before leaving he gave them the date that the wrath of Allah
(SWT) will come down upon them and left.
He told them the wrath would come down just like it came on the
people of Nuh (AS), Hud (AS), Salih (AS), Shuaib (AS) and Lot
(AS).
He left the city and washed his hands on the people and boarded a
ship the
sea was very calm when he boarded but it became rough when night fell the
captain of the ship drew lots to see who is in the crew that Allah (SWT) is not
pleased with.
He realised instinctively someone amongst his crew is a trouble
maker.
This was the first time lots were drawn in history and then lots were
drawn on Maryam as to who among the men will take care of him.
Narrated By 'Aisha: Whenever the Prophet intended to proceed on
a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives and would take the one upon
whom the lot fell. Once, before setting out for Jihad, he drew lots amongst us
and the lot came to me; so I went with the Prophet; and that happened after the
revelation of the Verse Hijab (i.e. veiling).
[Sahih Bukhari, Vol 4, Book 52, Hadith #130]
The prophet (SAWS) also drew lots when he used to embark on a
journey to know who to take along.
This is a part of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news
of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We inspire you with
(O Muhammad SAW). You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens
as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were
you with them when they disputed.
(Aali Imran 3:44)
When he drew lots in the ship, it became en vogue,
The lot came down on Yunus (AS) and the captain became embarrassed, because Yunus (AS)
was a righteous man.
So he drew lots a second time and a third time, hoping that the
name another passenger will come up but the name of Yunus (AS) came up all
these times and so the captain was obliged to dump him in the sea.
Even though he was embarrassed about the decision because the
righteousness of Yunus.
When they dumped him in the sea in the middle of the night, he was
enveloped by three layers of darkness;
1. The darkness of the belly of the whale
2. The darkness of the sea
3. The darkness of the night
Allah (SWT) commanded the whale to swallow him because he
despaired on his people and stormed off.
Allah (SWT) said:
And (remember) Dhan-Nûn (Jonah), when he went off in anger, and
imagined that We shall not punish him (i.e. the calamites which had befallen
him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying): Lā ilāha illa Anta [none has
the right to be worshipped but You (O Allāh)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You
[above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the
wrong-doers."
(Al-Anbiya 21:87)
When Yunus (AS) was in the belly of the whale, he cried to Allah
(SWT) lailaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu mina dhalimeen.
While he was in the belly of the whale also, the destruction hung
in the sky over the people of Yunus (AS).
On the same date prophet Yunus (AS) gave them.
The sky became red like fire on the exact date and so they took to
the mountains and started crying.
Even the animals are said to cry according to my research even the babies
cried
and they raised their hands in the sky and begged Allah (SWT) to
forgive them.
Was there any town (community) that believed (after seeing the punishment),
and its Faith (at that moment) saved it (from the punishment)? (The answer is
none,) - except the people of Yunus (Jonah); when they believed, We removed
from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the (present) world, and
permitted them to enjoy for a while.
(Yunus 10:98)
Allah (SWT) asked a question to the people in the above surah.
Allah (SWT) is saying which people believed when they saw the
punishment of Allah (SWT) and caused Allah (SWT) to reverse His punishment.
Except the people of Yunus (AS), to show you how special these
people were, not even the son of Nuh (AS) believed
Allah (SWT) said:
The son replied: "I will betake myself to a mountain, it
will save me from the water." Nuh (Noah) said: "This day there is no
saviour from the Decree of Allah except him on whom He has mercy." And a
wave came in between them, so he (the son) was among the drowned.
(Hud 11:43)
Allah (SWT) reversed the punishment which was hanging in their
heads because they made tawbah and only the people of Yunus are unique in
this regard.
The Pharaoh, when he saw the flood pulled a stunt on prophet Musa
(AS).
And when the punishment fell on them they said: "O Musa
(Moses)! Invoke your Lord for us because of His Promise to you. If you will
remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let
the Children of Israel go with
you." But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which
they had to reach, behold! They broke their word!
(Al-A'raf 7: 134-135)
He saw many miracles but did not believe
Was there any town (community) that believed (after seeing the
punishment), and its Faith (at that moment) saved it (from the punishment)?
(The answer is none,) - except the people of Yunus (Jonah); when they believed,
We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the (present)
world, and permitted them to enjoy for a while.
(Yunus 10:98)
No people believed the punishment of Allah (SWT) is coming; even
when it was clear.
Example the people of Salih (AS) didn't believe even though their
faces were darken
They even went deeper in their kufr.
Only the people of Yunus, Allah (SWT) lifted the punishment
because they believed when they saw clear sign that Allah's (SWT) punishment is
approaching.
The people of Yunus in Nineveh (Mosul) all cried for
Allah's (SWT) mercy and made taubah.
According to sheikh research even farm animals follow the people
of Yunus (AS)
Allah (SWT) has accepted their sincere taubah and lifted His wrath.
Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic
Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in
the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.
(Ra'd 13:28)
While Yunus (AS) was in the belly of the whale, the animals of the
sea heard his dhikr.
So the sea creatures gathered around the whale; even the angels
heard his dhikr.
The angel asked Allah (SWT) who is that calling You from deep
inside the sea.
Allah (SWT) replied that it is My servant Yunus (AS)
He ran away from his commandments so I made the whale swallow him.
The angels interceded for Yunus (AS) and Allah (SWT) accepted
their intercession.
Allah (SWT) commanded the whale to spit out Yunus (AS) on land.
And, verily, Yunus (Jonah) was one of the Messengers. When he
ran to the laden ship,
He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was among the losers, Then a
(big) fish swallowed him and he had done an act worthy of blame. Had he not
been of them who glorify Allah, He would have indeed remained inside its belly
(the fish) till the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth on the naked
shore while he was sick,
(As-Saffat 37: 139-145)
And We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him. - And We sent
him to a hundred thousand (people) or even more. And they believed; so We gave
them enjoyment for a while.
(As-Saffat 37:146-148)
The people of Yunus (AS) were unique.
Because they are the only people in history that believed in Allah
(SWT) after seeing clear sign of His wrath.
So Allah (SWT) forgave them and accepted their taubah.
Meanwhile Yunus (AS) fell ill once the whale spit him out at shore.
The sun helped him regain strength.
Once recovered from his weakness and illness, he went back to his
people.
His people received him happily and they were all believers.
The same people who rejected his message for years, now they were
all believers and received him gladly.
Not even one was a disbeliever any longer.
Was there any town (community) that believed (after seeing the
punishment), and its Faith (at that moment) saved it (from the punishment)?
(The answer is none,) - except the people of Yunus (Jonah); when they believed,
We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the (present)
world, and permitted them to enjoy for a while.
(Yunus 10:98)
"The sun purifies the ground and all irremovable objects
such as buildings, objects connected to them and/or whatever is fixed inside of
them — such as timbers, doors and so forth"
[Ajwibah al-Istiftā‘āt]
THE 18 LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF YUNUS (AS)
LESSON #1: FOR EVERY NATION WE SEND A PROPHET/ MESSENGER
Example Ayyub (AS) was syrian, he was sent to Syria
And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a
Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allāh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away
from) Tāghût[] (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Tāghût besides
Allāh)." Then of them were some whom Allāh guided and of them were some
upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what
was the end of those who denied (the truth).
(An-Nahl 16:36)
LESSON #2: PAGANS ALWAYS USE THEIR FATHER/MOTHER A REASON
TO WORSHIP OTHER THAN ALLAH
When it is said to them: "Follow what Allāh has sent
down." They say: "Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers
following." (Would they do that!) Even though their fathers did not
understand anything nor were, they guided.
(Al-Baqarah 2:170)
Pagans always use this excuse to worship other than Allah (SWT)
They did it to Yunus (AS)
Until Yunus (AS) ran away to them because Allah (SWT) gave him a
specific date for destruction to come
LESSON #3: DIFFERENT PROPHET HAVE DIFFERENT THRESHOLD FOR
SABR
Noah (AS) was there for 950 years
Yunus (AS) tried for 33 years
This quality is upon people as well
People have a short fuse
The five strong willed prophet: Noah, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad
(SAWS)
Yunus (AS) is not amongst them
So Allah (SWT) preferred some more than other:
Those Messengers! We preferred some to others; to some of them Allah
spoke (directly); others He raised to degrees (of honour); and to 'Iesa
(Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), We gave clear proofs and evidences, and
supported him with Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)]. If Allah had willed,
succeeding generations would not have fought against each other, after clear
Verses of Allah had come to them, but they differed - some of them believed and
others disbelieved. If Allah had willed, they would not have fought against one
another, but Allah does what He likes.
(Al-Baqarah 2:253)
LESSON #4: THE DUA OF A PROPHET IS ANSWERED
Because Yunus (AS) prayed to Allah (SWT)
He made dua to curse his people and he ran away from them.
Before he left, he gave them a fixed date of when Allah's (SWT) punishment
will come to them.
So the dua of a prophet is always answered.
LESSON #5: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PROPHET TO FOLLOW THE
WRONG ADVICE IN A SHURA COUNCIL
Yunus (AS) followed the opinion of one of the believer and not that
of the scholar.
This even happened to Muhammad (SAWS) with captives of Badr.
He (SAWS) decided to free them.
The same kafir came back the following years to kill Muslims in
Uhud.
It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and
free them with ransom) until he had made a great slaughter (among his enemies)
in the land. You desire the good of this world (i.e. the money of ransom for
freeing the captives), but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is
All-Mighty, All-Wise.
(Al-Anfal 8:67)
So Yunus (AS) followed the wrong advice
LESSON #6: THE STORY OF YUNUS (AS) CAUSE THE DRAWING OF
LOTS TO EN VOGUE
This is a part of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news
of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We inspire you with
(O Muhammad SAW). You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens
as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were
you with them when they disputed.
(Aali Imran 3:44)
Whenever the Prophet
intended to proceed on a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives and
would take the one upon whom the lot fell. Once, before setting out for Jihad,
he drew lots amongst us and the lot came to me; so I went with the Prophet; and
that happened after the revelation of the Verse Hijab (i.e. veiling).
[Sahih Bukhari, Vol
4, Book 52, Hadith #130]
Even the prophet (SAWS) drew lots to decide which of his (saws)
wife to take on a journey.
Example when he (SAWS) went to Hudaibiyyah he (saws) took Umm
Salamah
LESSON #7: ALLAH CAN INSPIRE HIS CREATURES TO DO WHATEVER
HE DESIRES
Allah (SWT) commanded the whale to swallow Yunus (AS)
The whale followed what Allah (SWT) asked of him
Allah (SWT) commanded the whale to spit Yunus (AS)
Hence, the whale followed the commandment of his Creator (Allah)
Have you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) not seen how your Lord
dealt with the Owners of the Elephant? [The elephant army, which came from Yemen
under the command of Abrahah Al-Ashram intending to destroy the Ka'bah at
Makkah].
Did He not make their plot go astray? And sent against them birds,
in flocks, Striking them with stones of Sijjīl. And made them like an empty
field of stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle).
(Al-Fil 105:1-5)
LESSON #8: ALLAH CAN INSPIRE THE SEA, THE MOUNTAINS, THE
RIVERS, And THE OCEAN TO BEHAVE IN
A PARTICULAR WAY
Example we see tsunamis
When Yunus (AS) went to sea, it was very calm.
However when he went upon the ship, the sea suddenly got rough.
So the captain of the ship knew there was a trouble maker amongst
the crew of the ship.
So the captain drew lots three times.
All three times the name of Yunus (AS) came up; So the captain had no choice but to dump Yunus (AS) over board.
LESSON #9: THE DUA OF A BELIEVER CAN CHANGE QADR
"Nothing could change the Qadar except Du`a’."
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Hadith no. 277; Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Vol.
3, Hadith no. 139)
Allah gave Yunus (AS) the date of destruction of his people.
As the punishment was coming down.
His people prayed and prayed and prayed until the punishment was
lifted off.
So Dua can change Qadr.
An example of this is that it was written for you to lose your
legs while driving.
Allah (SWT) lifted this punishment from you.
So again, the dua can change destiny.
Dua is indeed a weapon of the believers.
Allah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And
with Him is the Mother of the Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)
(Ra'd 13:39)
The story of Yunus (AS) teaches you the power of dua.
LESSON #10: ALLAH'S MERCY IS MORE THAN HIS WRATH
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (SAW) as saying: Allah,
the Exalted and Glorious, said: "My mercy prevails over My wrath."
[Al-Bukhari (7553), Muslim (2751), Tirmidhi (3543), Ahmad
(7297)]
01 Hadith Qudsi
On the authority of Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him),
who said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: When Allah decreed the Creation,
He pledged Himself by writing in His book, which is laid down with Him: My
mercy prevails over my wrath.
{It was related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari, an-Nasa'i and Ibn
Majah)}
Allah (SWT) answered the dua of the people of Yunus (AS).
It shows Allah (SWT) is more merciful.
LESSON #11: USE THE STORY OF THE PREVIOUS PROPHET IF YOU
WANT YOUR DAWAH TO BE EFFECTIVE
Yunus (AS) mentioned the previous prophets to his people and it
was effective because they made taubah.
LESSON #12: ALLAH (SWT) ACCEPTS THE TAUBAH, WHICH IS SINCERE
AND FORGIVES ALL SINS
Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against
themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of
Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.
(Az-Zumar 39:53)
Condition is that you have to make sincere taubah before death.
Allah (SWT) forgives all sins, even shirk.
Provided that you make your taubah before death.
LESSON #13: THE INTERCESSION OF ANGELS FOR MANKIND IS A
REALITY
The angels interceded for Yunus (AS) and begged Allah (SWT) to
forgive him.
Yunus (AS) was making dua, dhirk, and taubah.
LESSON #14: THE INTERCESSION OF ANIMALS IS A REALITY
Abu Umamah Bahili (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (SAW)
said: “Surely, Allah, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the
earths, even the ants in their holes and even the fish invoke blessings on the
teacher of the people about what is good.”
[Sunan Tirmidhi (5/50) No. 2685]
Abu Umama reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, said, "Allah and His angels and the people of the
heavens and the earth, even the ants in their rocks and the fish, pray for
blessings on those who teach people good."
[At-Tirmidhi]
The prophet (SAWS) confirmed animals beg Allah (SWT) for the
forgiveness of His servant.
LESSON #15: DON'T BE QUICK TO DESPAIR WHEN GIVING DAWAH
"O my sons! Go you and enquire about Yusuf (Joseph) and his
brother, and never give up hope of Allah's Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of
Allah's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve."
(Yusuf 12:87)
The only time you despair when the person whom you are speaking to
is not listening.
Then you may despair and give up on that person.
LESSON #16: TRAVELLING BY SEA WAS A REALITY IN ANCIENT
TIME
Even Musa (AS) went with Khidr on a ship.
LESSON #17: THE ANGELS PAY KEEN ATTENTION TO THE CREATIONS
OF ALLAH (SWT)
Abu Hurairah reported Allah ‘s Apostle (may peace be upon him)
as saying Allah (SWT) has mobile (squads) of angels, who have no other work (to
attend to but) to follow the assemblies of Dhikr and when they find such
assemblies in which there is Dhikr (of Allah (SWT)) they sit in them and some
of them surround the others with their wings till the space between them and
the sky of the world is fully covered, and when they disperse (after the
assembly of Dhikr is adjourned) they go upward to the heaven and Allah (SWT),
the Exalted and Glorious, asks them although He is best informed about them:
“Where have you come from?”
[Sahih Muslim, Book 35, Number 6505]
Narrated By Abu Huraira: The Prophet (SAW) said, "When it
is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the
names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their
arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is
that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one
offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively.
When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers
and listen to the Khutba."
[Al-Bukhari (929) and Muslim (850)]
LESSON #18: THE PEOPLE OF YUNUS (AS) WERE UNIQUE
This is because they were only people in history to believe upon
seeing Allah's (SWT) punishment approach.
Was there any town (community) that believed (after seeing the
punishment), and its Faith (at that moment) saved it (from the punishment)?
(The answer is none,) except the people of Yunus (Jonah); when they believed,
We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the (present)
world, and permitted them to enjoy for a while.
(Yunus 10:98)
So Allah (SWT) said the people of Yunus (AS) were unique.
Narrated `Abdullah, The Prophet (saws) said, "None of you
should say that I am better than Yunus (i.e. Jonah)." Musadded added,
"Jonah bin Matta."
[Sahih Bukhari 624]
Finally, the prophet (SAWS) said none of you should say he is
better than Yunus bin Matta.
Yunus (AS) being in a whale is a miracle in itself.
This concludes the story of Yunus (AS)
