Allah Loves Those Who Turn to Him
In short
The dua of Yunus (AS) is "La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu minaz-zalimeen": There is no deity except You; exalted are You; indeed I have been of the wrongdoers [21:87]. He said it in the darkness of the whale. The Prophet (PBUH) said no one calls on Allah with it except that He relieves their hardship.
Repentance: Allah love those who turn to Him
The story of Yunus (A.S.) was sent down to comfort the Prophet (PBUH) during his most difficult moment. Like the other prophets, the people of Yunus (A.S.) rejected his message despite his continual efforts. Facing this, Yunus (A.S.) lost hope and left his people without being granted Allah’s permission leave.
As he left, storm clouds gathered and darkness ensued all around. Fearing Allah's punishment, his people accepted his message repented. By this time, Yunus A.S. was caught in the storm at sea, and chosen to be sacrificed to save his fellow travelers. Allah then commanded a whale to swallow him, but preserves his life. Descending to the bottom of the ocean, he is in total darkness and despair. At this time, in the deafening silence, he hears pebbles on the ocean bed supplicating to Allah.
Understanding his error, Yunus (A.S.) makes sujood and recites a special dua. This dua highlights his acknowledgment of Allah's perfection, and of his own imperfections. The Prophet (PBUH) said, no one calls upon Allah with this dua, except that Allah grants him refuge and relieves him of the hardship he is in. Yunus (A.S.) did not ask to be saved from the whale, or relief from his pains. He only made tauba for his action.
As his body washed up on the shore, he makes the dua again. Allah nurtures him back to health and allows him to return to his people. It is then he discovers that thousands have embraced his message. When we turn to Allah, He elevates us.
Calligraphy: laaa ilaaha illaaa Anta Subhaanaka innee kuntu minaz zaalimeen
Meaning: “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.” [21:87]
Shop Islamic Art: Repentance | Dua of Yunus
Questions answered
When should you recite the dua of Yunus?
In any hardship. It acknowledges Allah's perfection and our own faults, and the Prophet (PBUH) said Allah grants refuge to whoever calls on Him with it.
What did Yunus (AS) ask for in the whale?
He did not ask to be saved or for his pain to end. He only repented (made tawbah) for leaving his people without Allah's permission.
What happened to the people of Yunus (AS)?
They repented after he left, and when he returned he found thousands had embraced his message.
Salam, I'm Saleha
I'm a Muslim artist in Toronto. I study the Qur'an and Seerah and turn what I learn into mixed media paintings, so the stories can live on your walls.
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