11 THE 18 LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF PROPHET YUNUS (AS)

{ JANUARY 11 2014 }

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)