Bismillah,
Patience is the greatest virtue.
But the most difficult to achieve.
Allah (SWT) is with the patient.
Today, we explore the life and profound lessons from the story of Prophet Yunus (AS), known for his journey of patience, repentance, and experiencing the mercy of Allah (SWT).
Background
Prophet Yunus (AS), also known as Jonah in Judeo-Christian tradition, was chosen by Allah (SWT) to guide his people in a time of moral decline and idolatry.
He (AS) was tasked with calling his people to repentance and monotheism.
Yunus (AS) devoted himself to his prophetic mission, tirelessly calling his people to righteousness and obedience to Allah (SWT)
Patience & Repentance
Despite his efforts, some of his people persisted in wrongdoing and defiance of divine commandments.
Yunus (AS) grew impatient and left his people without receiving Allah’s (SWT) permission.
He embarked on a sea journey and was swallowed by a wale (see verse below).
Inside the belly of the wale, Yunus (AS) realised his mistake and turned to Allah in sincere repentance and humility.
He(AS) supplicated to Allah (SWT)-
“La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin” (Surah Anbiya, V 87)
(There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers”).
Allah(SWT) responded to Yunus’s (AS) supplication by rescuing him from the depths of the sea.
When Yunus (AS) returned to his city, he found everyone had accepted Islam and was yearning his return.
Demonstrating Allah (SWT) is in control of the results, not Yunus’ (AS) efforts.
Legacy
Prophet Yunus (AS) teaches us the importance of patience and resilience in the face of adversity and divine tests.
Yunus’s (AS) story highlights the significance of sincere repentance and seeking Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness, regardless of past mistakes.
More importantly, this story teaches us that results are only dictated by Allah (SWT), not our efforts.
Application Today
The story of Yunu (AS) teaches us that our efforts are required, but does not influence the results without Allah’s (SWT) decree.
If we’re trying to earn more money…
or get married to someone…
or develop a certain physique.
No matter how much effort we exhort, nothing will change without Allah’s (SWT) permission.
Yunus’s (AS) effort did not influence his people’s beliefs, Allah (SWT) made them change their beliefs after Yunus’s (AS) departure.
Our efforts are required, but not an indicator of the results.
We must repent to Allah (SWT) If we believe that our efforts are the sole and primary reason for the results of our life, just as Yunus (AS) repented from his mistake.
May we emulate Yunus’ (AS) virtues in our own lives, striving to embody patience, repentance, and humility in our relationship with Allah (SWT) and others.
Ameen!
37:139
وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ١٣٩And Jonah was indeed one of the messengers.
37:140
إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ ١٤٠˹Remember˺ when he fled to the overloaded ship.
37:141
فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُدْحَضِينَ ١٤١Then ˹to save it from sinking,˺ he drew straws ˹with other passengers˺. He lost ˹and was thrown overboard˺.
37:142
فَٱلْتَقَمَهُ ٱلْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌۭ ١٤٢Then the whale engulfed him while he was blameworthy.
37:143
فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ ١٤٣Had he not ˹constantly˺ glorified ˹Allah˺,
37:144
لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِهِۦٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ ١٤٤he would have certainly remained in its belly until the Day of Resurrection.
SURAH AS-SAFFAT (V 139-144):