The story of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) appears in two chapters of the Qur’an: Al-Anbiya (Chapter 21) and As-Saffat (Chapter 37), where he is referred to as Dhu al-Nun, meaning “the Companion of the Fish.” Additionally, Chapter 10 of the Qur’an is named after him.
Both the Qur’an and the Bible (in the Book of Jonah) confirm that Yunus was swallowed by a great fish, where he remained for several days before being delivered by God. The essence of this story, as presented in Tafsir al-Mizan, is as follows:
Yunus was sent to the people of Ninevah to call them to God, but they rejected his message. In response, Yunus prayed for divine punishment to befall them. When the punishment was imminent, the people repented and believed, prompting God to lift the impending punishment. However, Yunus had already left his people, and as a test, God caused a great fish to swallow him. While in the fish’s belly, Yunus called upon God, who then delivered him and sent him back to his people a second time. (Al-Mizan, English Volume 28)
This raises the question: Did Yunus err by leaving his people, and if so, why did God test him in this way?
The narrative in As-Saffat (37:139-142) provides insight:
“And Yunus was one of the messengers. Behold, he fled to the laden ship. And cast lots, and was one of those who were cast off. So the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy.”
Allamah Tabataba’i, in commenting on these verses, explains that the verb abaqa (“he fled”) suggests that Yunus departed from his people of his own accord. Although he did not disobey God by leaving, his departure was akin to a servant fleeing from his master, and therefore God held him accountable.
Tabataba’i also offers a unique perspective on the scene: he proposes that the phrase “the fish” implies a particular fish that may have been troubling the ship (al-fulk), prompting the sailors to throw one of their own overboard as a sacrifice to distract the fish and protect the ship. They cast lots, and Yunus was chosen.
Other scholars interpret this differently, suggesting that a violent storm threatened the ship. In keeping with tradition, the sailors cast lots to determine who should be sacrificed to calm the sea, and the lot fell to Yunus, who was then thrown overboard and subsequently swallowed by a fish. Some even suggest that this act was a punishment for Yunus leaving his people, although the Qur’an does not support this interpretation.
In fact, the incident of Yunus being swallowed can be seen as an honor for God’s messenger. In ʿIlal al-Sharāʾiʿ, a tradition from Imam al-Sadiq offers a profound explanation:
Abu Basir asked Imam al-Sadiq, “Why did God spare the people of Yunus from punishment when it was already decreed, unlike other communities?”
The Imam replied, “It was in God’s knowledge that they would repent, and thus He would avert the punishment. However, He did not inform Yunus of this, as He wanted him to be secluded in worship within the belly of the whale, allowing him to be honored and rewarded for his devotion.”
This tradition suggests that God’s intention was for Yunus to leave his people, leading him to the fish’s belly to prepare him for a special spiritual experience. Had Yunus not left, he would have interrupted this divine plan.
For a more detailed explanation of the story of Yunus, readers are encouraged to consult Tafsir al-Mizan, English Volumes 28 & 33.
