Prophet Yunus (Jonah)

Who was Prophet Yunus?

Yunus (Jonah) was a prophet of Allah, sent to a great city (traditionally Nineveh) to call its people to faith. He is also known as Dhun-Nun ("the one of the fish") because of the extraordinary episode in which he was swallowed by a great fish and saved by Allah after a heartfelt supplication from within the darkness.

His Story

When his people refused to believe, Yunus left them in anger before Allah had given him permission to do so, assuming they would be destroyed. He boarded a ship; when it was endangered and lots were cast, he was thrown into the sea and swallowed by a great fish. In the layered darkness — of the night, the sea, and the fish's belly — he called upon Allah with the famous prayer: "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." Allah answered him, the fish cast him ashore, and He caused a plant to grow to shelter him. Meanwhile, his people repented sincerely, and Allah lifted the punishment from them — the one nation whose collective repentance is recorded as accepted.

Yunus in the Quran

• "And [mention] Dhun-Nun, when he went off in anger... then he called out within the darknesses: There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." (21:87)
• "So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers." (21:88)
• "Then why has there not been a city that believed so its faith benefited it except the people of Yunus?..." (10:98)

Lessons from His Life

The story of Yunus is the supreme example of turning back to Allah in distress. His supplication (Du'a Dhun-Nun) is among the most beloved in Islam; the Prophet ﷺ said: "No Muslim ever supplicates with it for anything but Allah answers him" (Tirmidhi 3505). His people show the power of sincere collective repentance (tawbah) to avert punishment. The Prophet ﷺ also taught humility regarding the prophets, saying one should not claim to be "better than Yunus ibn Matta".

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the supplication of Yunus (Du'a Dhun-Nun)?

It is: "La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu min az-zalimin" — "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers." Recited by Yunus inside the fish, it combines affirming Allah's oneness, glorifying Him, and admitting one's own fault — and is recommended in times of hardship and distress.

Why are "the people of Yunus" special?

Because the Quran singles them out as the one community whose collective faith and repentance, after the threat of punishment appeared, was accepted and the punishment removed. They are a powerful example that sincere, communal turning to Allah can change a people's fate.