Albeit the ripple and spinning effect of our de-motivated pair of eyes amid our tired muscles after the 2 hours adventure at Apamea, the serenity and the refreshing Olive trees, Pistachios farms and other plants enhanced our mental stamina that had kept us entertained. After about 15 minutes on the road, Hesam out of his kindness, informed us in his local Syrian Arabic; “that was the tomb of Prophet Yunus a.s…would you like to visit?” I blurted; “Oh really!..Amir, I suggest we better stop and explore the place” Amir responded and obediently informed Hesam to reverse his H1. We were excited and touched because this spot was not in our plan; furthermore, the Prophet Yunus a.s.’s story is always in our heart. Nevertheless, it was rather sad to see the deteriorating condition of the place and the building of the tomb. The toilet, however, was not bad. Amid the excitement, I asked myself a question; “is this the tomb (I mean the grave) of the Prophet Yunus a.s. or it was just a place where he had visited before??” I released my doubt to Amir, which he did not have the proper answer. Allahu hu A’lam. There were few under privilege buildings within the vicinity and during our visit, we met ‘bulats’ – termed that we used to describe the fluffy Syrian sheep and a very decent shepherd traditionally dressed.
Ok people…., whatever it was, let me share you the story of the Prophet Yunus a.s. from my humble knowledge, which I have gathered and read from the holy Qur’an el Kareem and other reliable sources.
There was no exact details information about his biography. Thus, I preferred not to touch this part of his story. Almighty Allah swt mentioned about the people of Prophet Yunus a.s in the Holy Qur’an; “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; 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.” – Chapter 10 - Yunus: Verse 98 Qur’an el Kareem.
The inhabitants of the town of Nineveh (an ancient city is said to be located in Iraq) were idolaters who lived a shameless life. Prophet Yunus a.s was sent to teach them the worship of Allah swt. The people disliked his interference in their way of worship, so they argued; "We and our forefathers have worshipped these gods for many years and no harm has come to us."Try as he might to convince them of the foolishness of idolatry and of the goodness of Allah swt's laws, the ignored him. He warned them that if they kept on with their foolishness, Allah's punishment would soon follow. Instead of fearing Allah swt, they told Prophet Yunus a.s. that they were not afraid of his threats. "Let it happen," they told him. Prophet Yunus a.s was disheartened. "In that case, I will leave you to your misery!" so saying, he left Nineveh, fearing that Allah swt's anger would soon follow.
“Remember Yunus, when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him (the calamities which had befallen him)! – Chapter 21 Anbiya: Verse 87 Qur’an el Kareem.
Hardly had he left the city when the skies began to change color and looked as if they were on fire. The people were filled with fear by this sight. They recalled the destruction of the people of 'Ad, Thamud and Noah. Was theirs to be a similar fate? Slowly faith penetrated their hearts. They all gathered on the mountain and started to beseech Allah for His mercy and forgiveness. The mountains echoed with their cries. It was a momentous hour, filled with sincere repentance.
Allah removed His wrath and showered His blessings upon them once again. When the threatening storm was lifted, they prayed for the return of Prophet Yunus a.s. so that he could guide them.
Meanwhile, Prophet Yunus a.s had boarded a small ship in the company of other passengers. It sailed all day in calm waters with a good wind blowing at the sails. When night came, the sea suddenly changed. A horrible storm blew as if it were going to split the ship into pieces. The waves looked wild. They rose up as high as mountains then plunged down like valleys, tossing the ship and sweeping over the deck.
The captain directed: “We will make lots with all of the travelers' names. The one whose name is drawn will be thrown into the sea." Prophet Yunus a.s. knew this was one of the seamen's traditions when facing a tempest. It was a strange polytheistic tradition, but it was practiced at that time. Prophet Yunus a.s.'s affliction and crisis began.
Here was the prophet, subjected to polytheistic rules that considered the sea and the wind to have gods that riot. The captain had to please these gods. Prophet Yunus a.s. reluctantly participated in the lot, and his name was added to the other travelers' names. The lot was drawn and "Yunus" appeared.
Since they knew him to be the most honorable among them, they did not wish to throw him into the angry sea. Therefore, they decided to draw a second lot. Again Yunus's name was drawn. They gave him a final chance and drew a third lot. Unfortunately for Prophet Yunus a.s., his name came up again.
Prophet Yunus a.s realized that Allah's hand was in all this, for he had abandoned his mission without Allah's consent. The matter was over, and it was decided that Prophet Yunus a.s. should throw himself into the water. Prophet Yunus a.s. stood at the edge of the ship looking at the furious sea. It was night and there was no moon. The stars were hidden behind a black fog. But before he could be thrown overboard, Prophet Yunus a.s kept mentioning Allah swt 's name as he jumped into the raging sea and disappeared beneath the huge waves.
The fish – Nun swallowed Yunus into its furious stomach and shut its ivory teeth on him as if they were white bolts locking the door of his prison. Three layers of darkness enveloped him, one above the other; the darkness of the fish's stomach, the darkness of the bottom of the sea, the darkness of the night. Prophet Yunus a.s. imaged himself to be dead, but his senses became alert when he found he could move. He knew that he was alive and imprisoned in the midst of three layers of darkness. His heart was moved by remembering Allah swt. His tongue released soon after saying: “La ilaha illa Anta (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You (above all that evil they associate with You), Truly, I have been of the wrong doers."- Chapter 21 Anbita: Verse 87 Quran el Kareem.
Allah swt saw the sincere repentance of Prophet Yunus a.s and heard his invocation in the Nun's stomach. Allah swt commanded the fish –Nun to surface and eject Prophet Yunus a.s onto a land.
Allah swt recounted: “And, verily, Yunus was one of the Messengers. When he ran to the laden ship, he agreed to cast lots and he was among the losers, Then a big fish swallowed him and he had done an act worthy of blame. Had he not been of them who glorify Allah, he would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick and We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him. And We sent him to a hundred thousand people or even more, and they believed; so We gave them enjoyment for a while.” - Chapter 37 Ash Shaaffaat: Verses 139-148 Qur’an el Kareem
Gradually he regained his strength and found his way to his hometown, Nineveh. He was pleasantly surprised to notice the change that had taken place there. The entire population turned out to welcome him. They informed him that they had turned to believe in Allah swt. Together they led a prayer of thanksgiving to their Merciful Lord.
A lesson that we could learn from the story of Prophet Yunus a.s is that we never know the effect our deeds will have on others. We, like Prophet Yunus a.s , are called to tell others about Islam, but the results might never be known to us. A word we say to one person might touch them deeply and yet we may never see the effect of that word. But we must keep trying.
Allah uses all things to work out His plan. In the story of Prophet Yunus a.s., He not only uses Prophet Yunus a.s., but He uses the sailors and the whale and the plant, to do His will. So we should never presume to know the will of Allah swt, nor to make decisions on His behalf.
Allah swt recounted: “And, verily, Yunus was one of the Messengers. When he ran to the laden ship, he agreed to cast lots and he was among the losers, Then a big fish swallowed him and he had done an act worthy of blame. Had he not been of them who glorify Allah, he would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick and We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him. And We sent him to a hundred thousand people or even more, and they believed; so We gave them enjoyment for a while.” - Chapter 37 Ash Shaaffaat: Verses 139-148 Qur’an el Kareem
Gradually he regained his strength and found his way to his hometown, Nineveh. He was pleasantly surprised to notice the change that had taken place there. The entire population turned out to welcome him. They informed him that they had turned to believe in Allah swt. Together they led a prayer of thanksgiving to their Merciful Lord.
A lesson that we could learn from the story of Prophet Yunus a.s is that we never know the effect our deeds will have on others. We, like Prophet Yunus a.s , are called to tell others about Islam, but the results might never be known to us. A word we say to one person might touch them deeply and yet we may never see the effect of that word. But we must keep trying.
Allah uses all things to work out His plan. In the story of Prophet Yunus a.s., He not only uses Prophet Yunus a.s., but He uses the sailors and the whale and the plant, to do His will. So we should never presume to know the will of Allah swt, nor to make decisions on His behalf.
1 comments:
true & Allah knows best
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