THE STORY OF PROPHET YUNUS

Hazrat Younus (AS), also known as Jonah in the Judeo-Christian tradition, is a significant figure in Islamic, Christian, and Jewish faiths. He is best known for the event where he was swallowed by a giant fish, usually referred to as a whale, as a result of turning away from the mission God assigned him.

In Islamic Tradition:
In Islam, Hazrat Younus (AS) is considered a prophet (Nabi) who was sent to the city of Nineveh to guide its people, who had strayed from the path of righteousness and divine guidance. However, the inhabitants of Nineveh rejected his message, leading Younus (AS) to become frustrated and leave the city in anger, believing his efforts to be in vain.

While at sea, a severe storm arose, and Younus (AS) was thrown overboard by the ship’s crew, only to be swallowed by a large fish. In the belly of the fish, Younus (AS) realized his hasty departure from Nineveh was incorrect, and he sought God’s forgiveness with sincere repentance, uttering a famous invocation of Tawhid (the oneness of God):

Invocation:
"La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu minaz-zalimin."
(There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.)

Redemption:
God, in His mercy, forgave Younus (AS) and commanded the fish to release him onto the shore, unharmed. He then returned to Nineveh, where he found the people had repented and turned towards righteousness. God’s mercy was then extended to the people of Nineveh.

Lessons:
The story of Hazrat Younus (AS) serves as a powerful reminder of God’s infinite mercy and the importance of patience, perseverance, and unwavering faith, especially during times of hardship and adversity.

This account is described in various chapters across the Quran, including Al-Saffat (37:139-148) and Al-Qalam (68:48-50). The story of Hazrat Younus (AS) aligns in many ways with the account of Jonah in the Bible, demonstrating the common threads among the Abrahamic faiths.