Miracle
Survived inside the whale
The Story
Yunus (peace be upon him) was sent to the people of Nineveh, a city of about 100,000 people who had strayed from Allah's path. He called them to monotheism, but they initially rejected him.
Frustrated by their rejection, Yunus left his people before being given permission by Allah, assuming punishment would come to them. He boarded a ship, but a storm arose and the sailors cast lots to determine who should be thrown overboard to lighten the load. The lot fell on Yunus.
He was thrown into the sea and swallowed by a giant fish (whale). In the darkness of the fish's belly, Yunus called out with his famous supplication: "La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu min adh-dhalimin" (There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers).
Allah accepted his repentance and commanded the fish to release him on the shore. Remarkably, the people of Nineveh had repented while he was gone - the only nation in history whose collective repentance saved them from punishment after it was decreed.
Yunus returned to his people to find them believers.
Key Events
Sent to Nineveh
Called 100,000 people to Allah
Left Early
Departed before being permitted
Cast from Ship
Thrown overboard after drawing lots
In the Whale
Swallowed by giant fish
The Du'a
Made his famous supplication
Released
Expelled onto shore, ill but saved
Return
Found his people had believed
Lessons from Yunus's Life
Never abandon your mission prematurely
Repentance is always accepted
The du'a of Yunus is powerful in distress
A whole community can be saved through repentance
Quran References
His supplication in the whale
Story of the whale
Warning not to be like him in impatience
His people's repentance