Stories of the Qur'an

The Prophet Yunus and the whale

The story of the Prophet Yunus (Jonah) in the belly of the whale, and his dua, told from the Qur'an.

1. Leaving in anger

   Yunus called the people of Nineveh to Allah; seeing their disbelief, he left the city in anger before being permitted (21:87; 37:139-140).

2. The ship and the storm

   He boarded a laden ship. When a storm rose, lots were drawn; the lot fell on him and he was cast into the sea, where a great fish swallowed him (37:140-142).

3. A prayer in the darkness

   In the darkness of night, sea and fish he cried: "La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin" — there is no god but You, glory be to You, I have been among the wrongdoers (21:87).

4. Rescue

   Allah answered him; the fish cast him onto the shore and a gourd plant grew over him. "Thus do We save the believers" (21:88; 37:143-146).

5. A city that believed

   When Yunus returned, more than a hundred thousand people had believed, and Allah let them enjoy life for a while (37:147-148; 10:98).

6. Lessons

   The cost of impatience and the power of repentance. The Prophet ﷺ said a Muslim who prays with this dua will be answered (Tirmidhi). It is recited in times of distress.

Told from the Qur'an itself, without details from weak reports. From the Mood & Dua app.