The Prophets Of Allah

Lessons From The Story Of Yunus/Jonah Pbuh

THE LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF YUNUS (AS):

#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)

#2: PAGANS ALWAYS USE THEIR FATHER/MOTHER A REASON TO WORSHIP OTHER THAN ALLAH

#3: DIFFERENT PROPHET HAVE DIFFERENT THRESHOLD FOR SABR/PATIENCE
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)

#4:THE DUA OF A PROPHETS IS ANSWERED

#5: 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 himAllah (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)

#6: 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.

#7: 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.

#8: 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.

#9: ALLAH (SWT) ACCEPTS THE TAUBAH/Repentance, 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.

#10: 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.

#11: 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.

#12: 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.

#13: 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)]

#14: 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)