Prophet Yunus (AS) and the Big Fish

Have you ever felt sad or scared in the dark? This true story from the Quran shows us who to call on.

Long ago, Allah sent Prophet Yunus (AS) to his people as a messenger. He asked them to believe in Allah, the One who made everything. But at first, his people did not believe.

One day, Prophet Yunus went away from his town feeling angry. He went to the sea and got onto a ship that was full and heavy with people and things.

Out on the water, the people on the ship drew lots, a little like picking a name from a bag. Prophet Yunus lost, and he went into the sea. Then a big fish swallowed him! Many people call it a whale, and the Quran calls it a fish.

Inside the fish, it was very, very dark. But Prophet Yunus did not forget Allah. He called out to Allah in the darkness and said: “There is no god but You. Glory be to You! I have done wrong.”

Allah heard him. The Quran tells us that if Prophet Yunus had not been one of those who glorify Allah, he would have stayed inside the fish until the Day of Judgement. But Allah answered his dua and saved him from his sadness.

The fish put Prophet Yunus out onto an open shore. He was weak and unwell. So Allah made a gourd plant grow over him. A gourd is a plant like a pumpkin vine.

When he was well again, Allah sent him to his people, a hundred thousand people or even more. And this time, they believed! Allah let them enjoy their lives for a time.

Allah tells us in the Quran that He saves the believers, just as He saved Prophet Yunus. So when you feel sad, scared or alone, remember Allah and make dua. Allah is always near, and He hears every dua, even from the darkest, deepest place.