Prophet Yunus (as) - The Man Who Survived In The Belly Of A Fish

The inhabitants of the town of Nineveh were idol worshippers.  They lived a shameless life.  Prophet Yunus was sent to teach them the worship of Allah.  The community disliked his interference in their way of worship and said, “We and our forefathers have worshipped these gods for many years and no harm has come to us.”

Try as he may to convince them of the foolishness of worshipping idols and the goodness of Allah’s laws, they ignored the Prophet.  He warned them if they kept on with their foolishness Allah’s punishment would soon follow.  Instead of fearing Allah they had told Yunus that they did not fear his threats.  “Let it happen,” they told him.  Yunus was disheartened, “In that case I will leave you to your misery!” So saying, he left Nineveh, fearing that Allah’s anger will soon follow.

Hardly had he left the city when the skies began to change colour and looked as if it were on fire.  The people were filled was fear by the sight.  They recalled the destruction of the people of ‘Ad, Thamud and Nuh.  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 Yunus so that he could guide them.

Meanwhile, Yunus had boarded a small boat in the company of other passengers.  At sea, a storm brewed and the boat was tossed about by the roaring waves which rose as high as the mountains.  The boat was overloaded.  They threw out their luggage but this was not enough.  They safety lay in reducing the weight further.  They decided among themselves to lighten their load by removing at least one person.  They drew lots so everyone may have a fair chance.  In the draw Yunus’ name came up.

Since they knew him to be the most honourable among them, they did not wish to throw him into the stormy sea, so they decided to draw lots the second time.  Again Yunus’ name was drawn.  They give him a final chance and drew a third lot.  Unfortunately for Yunus his name came up again. Yunus realised that Allah’s hand was in all this. For he had abandoned his mission without Allah’s permission.  This was a serious error on his part.  But before he could be thrown overboard, Yunus took Allah’s name and jumped into the raging sea and disappeared beneath the huge waves.

In The Belly

When Yunus opened his eyes he found himself lying on a wet, spongy base. Everything above and around him was like a sealed cave, covered in total darkness, but soft and spongy.  He felt jerks, like in a boat whacked by waves.  Yunus discovered that he was in the belly of the huge fish, that his Lord had commanded a large fish to swallow him so as to protect him from the stormy sea.  Immediately he turned to Allah to confess his guilt, “There is no God save Thee!  Glorified be Thou!  Indeed, I have been a wrongdoer.” The Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful Allah excepted his prayer.  The next moment Yunus felt himself being forcefully drawn and he was rapidly sliding towards an opening.  With a thud he landed on soft sand.  Allah had commanded the fish to spew him out onto land.  Yunus again turned to Allah to express his heartfelt thanks.

He was lying on the deserted shore, sick and lonely.  He was surrounded by leaves of a large gourd plant, which sheltered him from the burning sun.  They were enough gourds for him to enjoy.  Gradually 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 had turned up to welcome him.  They informed him that they had turned to their True Lord.  Together they led a prayer of thanksgiving to their Merciful Lord.

This story is taken from -
77 Selected Stories from the Quran - Graphically retold by Sheikh A. Najaar (Allah ya hamu)

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Prophet Yunus (as) - The Man Who Survived In The Belly Of A Fish

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1.Do not mix the truth with falsehood (2:42)
2. Order righteousness to people only after practicing it yourself (2:44)
3.Do not commit abuse on the earth (2:60)
4.Do not prevent people from mosques (2:114)
5.Do not follow anyone blindly (2:170)
6.Do not break the promise (2:177)
7.Do not engage in bribery (2:188)
8.Fight only with those who fight you (2:190)
9.Keep the etiquettes of war (2:191)
10.Protect orphans (2:220)
11.Do not have sexual intercourse during menstrual period (2:222)
12.Breast feed your children for two complete years (2:233)
13.Choose rulers by their merit (2:247)
14.No compulsion in religion (2:256)
15.Do not invalidate charity with reminders (2:264)
16.Help those in need by finding them (2:273)
17.Don’t consume interest (2:275)
18.Grant more time to repay if the debtor is in hard time (2:280)
19.Write down the debt (2:282)
20.Keep the trust (2:283)
21.Do not spy and backbite (2:283)
22.Believe in all prophets (2:285)
23.Do not burden a person beyond his scope (2:286)
24.Do not become divided (3:103)
25.Restrain Anger (3:134)
26.Do not be rude in speech (3:159)
27.Think deeply about the wonders and creation of this universe (3:191)
28.Men and Women have equal rewards for their deeds (3:195)
29.Wealth of the dead should be distributed among his family members (4:7)
30.Women also have the right for inheritance (4:7)
31.Do not devour the property of orphans (4:10)
32.Do not marry those in your blood relation (4:23)
33.Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly (4:29)
34.Family should be lead by men (4:34)
35.Be good to others (4:36)
36.Do not be miserly (4:37)
37.Do not keep envy (4:54)
38.Judge with justice between people (4:58)
39.Do not kill each other (4:92)
40.Do not be an advocate for deceitful (4:105)
41.Standout firmly for justice (4:135)
42.Cooperate in righteousness (5:2)
43.Do not cooperate in sin and aggression (5:2)
44.Dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine are prohibited (5:3)
45.Be just (5:8)
46.Punish for crimes in an exemplary way (5:38)
47.Strive against sinful and unlawful (5:63)
48.Avoid intoxicants and alcohol (5:90)
49.Do not gamble (5:90)
50.Do not insult others’ deities (6:108)
51.’Having a majority’ is not a criterion of truth (6:116)
52.Don’t reduce weight or measure to cheat people (6:152)
53.Do not be arrogant (7:13)
54.Eat and Drink, But Be Not Excessive (7:31)
55.Wear good cloths during prayer times (7:31)
56.Forgive others for their mistakes (7:199)
57.Do not turn back in battle (8:15)
58.protect and help those who seek protection (9:6)
59.Keep Purity (9:108)
60.Never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy (12:87)
61.Allah will forgive to those who have done wrong out of ignorance (16:119)

 

 
62.Invitation to God should be with wisdom and good instruction (16:125)
63.No one will bear others’ sins (17:15)
64.Be dutiful to parents (17:23)
65.Do not say a word of disrespect to parents(17:23)
66.Do not spent money extravagantly (17:29)
67.Do not kill your children for fear of poverty (17:31)
68.Do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse (17:32)
69.Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge (17:36)
70.Speak to people mildly (20:44)
71.Keep aloof from what is vain (23:3)
72.Do not enter others’ house without seeking
permission (24:27)
73.Allah will provide security for those who believe
only in Allah (24:55)
74.Do not enter parents’ private room without
asking permission (24:58)
75.Walk on earth in humility (25:63)
76.Do not neglect your portion of this world (28:77)
77.Invoke not any other god along with Allah (28:88)
78.Do not engage in homosexuality (29:29)
79.Enjoin right, forbid wrong (31:17)
80.Do not walk in insolence through the earth (31:18)
81.Lower your voice (31:19)
82.Women should not display their finery (33:33)
83.Allah forgives all sins (39:53)
84.Do not be despair of the mercy of Allah (39:53)
85.Repel evil by good (41:34)
86.Decide on affairs by consultation (42:38)
87.Try for settlement between people (49:9)
88.Do not ridicule others (49:11)
89.Avoid suspicion (49:12)
90.Do not spy or backbite (49:12)
91.Most noble of you is the most righteous (49:13)
92.Honor guests (51:26)
93.Spent wealth in charity (57:7)
94.No Monasticism in religion (57:27)
95.Those who have knowledge will be given a
higher degree by Allah (58:11)
96.Treat non-Muslims in a kind and fair manner (60:8)
97.Save yourself from covetousness (64:16)
98.Seek forgiveness of Allah. He is Forgiving and Merciful (73:20)
99.Do not repel one who asks (93:10)
100.Encourage feeding poor (107:3)
Plz Share ….
Surely, Allah Will Grant you The Reward For
Spreading Righteousness .. JazakAllah Khair”

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How do we know that Allah forgive us for the sins we did before ?

Assalamualaikum sister! I've been worried about a couple of things. One of them is that i've been smoking, having a boyfriend.. and yeah i was on the wrong path! I was very depressed in that moment. For a whole year i was doing those wrong things. I didn't really know much about my religion but i knew some things. I came close to Allah and got to know Islam! Alhamdolliah i'm a different person now. But how do i know if Allah have forgiven me?

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

This message has made me so happy, the reason why is that: when you can tell that someone has been forgiven by Allah SWT, is when that person’s life changes i.e.  They become a better person <3 and that is exactly what has happened to you.  So Insha’Allah, Allah has forgiven you already

One way we can tell that Allah has forgiven us is when we don’t repeat the sin again, Insha’Allah (so basically when a person’s life has changed for the better).

We all make mistakes, we all are human and what’s so great about being human is that we can learn from our mistakes and ask for forgiveness.  Another great thing about being human is that we have choice, and we can actually choose to be better and do better, Insha’Allah <3

There is a certain strength in someone who repents and does good deeds after choosing not to sin any longer, it’s an amazing quality and certainty something that should be commended.

Here are some verses from the Quran about forgiveness:

Those who, when they act indecently or wrong themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their bad actions (and who can forgive bad actions except Allah?) and do not knowingly persist in what they were doing.

 (Surat Al ‘Imran, 135)

Except for those who, after that, repent and put things right. Truly Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(Surat Al ‘Imran, 89)

Their recompense is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever. How excellent is the reward of those who act!

(Surat Al ‘Imran, 136)

It may well be that Allah will pardon them. Allah is Ever-Pardoning, Ever-Forgiving.

 (Surat An-Nisa, 99)

And ask Allah’s forgiveness. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(Surat An-Nisa, 106)

Allah has promised those who believe and do right actions forgiveness and an immense reward.

(Surat Al-Ma’ida, 9)

I hope I have answered your question, Insha’Allah

If you do not understand something or would like additional details, please contact me and I’ll be happy to provide them, Insha’Allah

Thank you for your amazing question

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How do we know that Allah forgive us for the sins we did before ?

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Asslamu alaikum. I have a Small doubt and confused about it, it is : Allah is closer to us than our Jugular vein right ? Then why is it when we pray tahajad Allah comes From the Arsh to the lowest heaven to answer our prayers ? I'm not dumb or anything  I'm just confused 

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

Thank you for this question, you are not dumb, you are merely thinking about Allah; and that is a really good thing . The above Quranic verse and Hadith, are both written in a metaphorical sense.  Both of them are to show the closeness that Allah has towards us.  For example, when I say “my mother is in my heart”, it does not necessarily mean that my mother is physically in my heart, it means I love her very much as the heart is a symbol of love.  Another example is when somebody says “the sun is smiling today”, it does not necessarily mean that the sun has teeth and a mouth and is using them to smile; it simply means that the sun is shining brightly today, as a smile is a symbol of light and happiness.

Now when we consider Allah SWT, we need to realize that Allah is nothing like creating.  Creation has distance, shape, time, etc.  And Allah is above all of these things.  Allah is above the concept of time, i.e.  Allah is timeless; Allah is above the concept of distance, i.e.  Allah does not travel distance, but He is everywhere; but the reason why Allah uses metaphors to describe things to us, is because it allows us to encapsulate the idea which Allah puts forth, as we have not seen with our own eyes what it is which Allah is explaining to us.

Now let’s think a little further to try and explain this concept.  When we look at the verses of the Quran, the ones that speak about hell, Allah uses the metaphor of saying hell is like the desert, that it is hot and fiery.  The reason Allah uses the metaphor of the desert to describe how the hell is because it is something that the people of the Quraysh understood to be tortured or “hot and fiery”, so we can understand that hell burns and is torturous.  If Allah had to not use metaphors to describe things to us (like hell and heaven, which we have not seen), we would not understand what Allah is describing.  

So understanding what I have been trying to say in the above, we can look at the two different verses you are confused about.

From the looks of things, you are actually trying to find out ‘where’ Allah is, using these verses, but these verses are not there to describe ‘where’ as in the ‘place’ Allah is.  These verses are trying to show the emotional closeness which Allah has towards us.

“And indeed We have created man, and We know whatever thoughts his inner self development, and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein.”

(Quran 50:16)

The first verse you mentioned is that Allah is closer to us than our jugular vein.  This means that Allah is closer to us than we are to ourselves i.e.  Allah understands us and loves us more than we can ever love ourselves, and those are our inner thoughts.  Sometimes we feel like Allah is detached from us, so from this verse Allah explains to us that in fact Allah is closer to us than the vein that is right in the middle of our bodies, i.e.  Allah is never away from us, rather always with us and understands us.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says, ‘Who will call Me that I might answer him, who will ask of Me that I might give him, who will ask My forgiveness, that I might forgive him?’”

 (narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Tawheed, 6940; Muslim, Salaat al-Musaafireen, 1262)

The second verse you mentioned is how Allah comes down to the lowest heaven.  This does not mean, necessarily, that Allah travels the distance between the highest level of heaven to the lowest level of heaven when we pray, it simply means how much Allah appreciates our prayers.  Allah appreciates our prayers so much that he comes “closer to earth” to hear our prayers…  To describe how this means appreciation rather than distance, here is an example of a similar idea: when somebody admires somebody else they often say “you fell down from heaven”, this does not literally mean that this person physically fell down covering the distance between heaven and earth, it means that this person being appreciated is someone that is seen as ‘amazing’, hence appreciated.  Therefore, when Allah “lowers himself down from the highest heaven to the lowest heaven” it means His appreciation for our prayers is so great, that Allah (being the Highest and most Noble of us all) would actually “come down” just to hear us pray i.e. Allah gives us special attention when we pray.

It is a very confusing topic and is very hard to explain, and therefore hard sometimes to understand; but with the same token Allah, as an Entity, is very hard for our minds to encapsulate, and of course rightly so.

Here is a verse from the Quran:

“There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him.”

(Qur’an 42:11)

As you can see from the above verse, there is nothing like Allah that is out there, ever.  Nothing that exists in the whole of existence is like Him.  Distance is in existence, therefore He has no distance, therefore He has no place; He is everywhere and anywhere.  It is all very confusing and mind blowing, but the same time shows us how beyond Magnificent, Powerful and Praiseworthy Allah is.

It is a good thing that you were thinking about Allah, as Allah always asks us to remember Him.

Here is a verse from the Quran:

“Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.”

 (Qur’an, 13:28)

Insha’Allah I have answered your question <3

If there is something you don’t understand (as this is a very confusing topic), or would like additional details, please let me know and I will be happy to provide

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Allah is closer to us than our jugular vein

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Dying Hair is it forbidden or not in Islam

Assalamualaikum warahmatullah sister, I'm confused about dying our hair. So , if my hair Is originally black we can dye it in other colors ? Even a blonde ? Thank You

WA alaikum Salam

Any hair color other than black is permissible, although the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to dye his hair reddish with a mixture of henna And katam.

It is narrated by Abu Dawood (4211) from Ibn ‘Abbas who said: A man who had dyed his hair with henna passed by the Prophet (peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he said: “How handsome this is.” Then another who had dyed his hair with henna and katam passed by and he Said, “This is more handsome.” Then another who had dyed his hair Yellow passed by and he said: “This one is handsomer than all the Others.”

Insha’Allah I have answered your question <3

If there is something you do not understand or would like Additional details, please let me know and I will be happy to provide, Insha’Allah <3

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Dying Hair Halal Or Haram ?Islam allows it or not

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What does Islam say about the relations between man and woman (i.e. husband and wife)? 

The Quran, unlike the altered Bible and Torah, never considers any woman to be the possession of any man. The Quran eloquently describes the relationship between the spouses by saying:

" And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect" (30:21).

This is the Quranic conception of marriage: love, mercy, and tranquility, not possession and double standards. The Qur'an emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful simile:

"They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them." (2:187) 

Just as a garment hides our nakedness, so do husband and wife, by entering into the relationship of marriage, they secure each other's chastity. The garment gives comfort to the body; so does the husband find comfort in his wife's and she in his. The garment is the grace, the beauty, the embellishment of the body, so too are wives to their husbands as their husbands are to them." Islam does not consider woman "an instrument of the Devil", but rather the Qur'an calls her 'muhsana' – (a fortress against Satan) because a good woman, by marrying a man, helps him keep to the path of rectitude in his life. It is for this reason that marriage was considered by the Prophet Muhammad as a most virtuous act. He said:"When a man marries, he has completed one half of  his religion." (Tabarani 'al-Awsat, Vol.3, pg. 161) 

He enjoined matrimony on Muslims by saying:"Marriage is part of my way and whoever shuns from my way is not from me (i.e. is not my follower) (Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

The Prophet Muhammad said:  "No believing man should hate a believing woman. If he dislikes one of her characteristics, he may be pleased with another." (Sahih Muslim #61)

The Prophet Muhammad also said:" Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or else keep silent. Deal kindly with women, for woman was created from a rib…" (Sahih Muslim) 

The Prophet was most emphatic in enjoining upon Muslims to be kind to their women when he delivered his famous sermon on the Mount of Mercy at Arafat in the presence of many of his Companions who had gathered there for the Hajj al-Wada (Farewell Pilgrimage). In it he ordered those present, and through them all those Muslims who were to come, to be respectful and kind towards women. He said:

"Fear Allah regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of Allah, and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have rights over them,  and they have rights over you in respect to their food  and clothing according to your means." (you must feed them and clothe them generously) (Sahih Muslim)

The Islamic laws and teachings regard women as the spiritual equals of men. The main distinction made between them is in the physical realm based on the principle of fair division of labor. It allots the  more strenuous work to the man and makes him responsible for the maintenance of the family. It allots the work of managing the home and the upbringing and training of children to the woman, work which has the greatest importance in the task of building a healthy and prosperous society.

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What does Islam say about the relations between man and woman (i.e. husband and wife)?

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What does Islam say about the mother and parents?

In Islam, the honor, respect, and esteem attached to motherhood is unparalleled.The Quran places the importance of kindness to parents as second only to worshipping God Almighty:

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship not butHim. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them butaddress them in terms of honor. And lower unto themthe wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say:"My Lord! Bestow upon them Your Mercy as they did raised me when I was young." (17:23-24).

The Quran in several other places puts special emphasis on the mother's great role in birth and nursing:

"And we have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kindto his parents. His mother bears him with hardship.And she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty months, till he attains full strength and reaches forty years, he says: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your favor whichyou have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make my offspring good. Truly I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslims (submitting to Your will)"(46:15)

And Allah also says:

"And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and goodto his parents. His mother bore him in weakness andhardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years-give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination." (31:14).

Allah has forbidden to  : " said   The Messenger of Allah, burying daughters alive, and  ce to mothers you disobedienwithholding the rights of others and asking of
them…"(Sahih Muslim, Book of Judicial Decisions #12)A man came to the Prophet Muhammad asking his permission to take part in Jihad (i.e. fighting forthe cause of Allah). The Prophet asked him, "Are your parentsalive?" He replied , "Yes". The Prophet said to him"then exert yourself in their service." (Sahih al Bukhari, No. 248, Vol. 4) The Prophet strongly warned against severing the bonds of kinship, as he said: "The person who severs thebond of kinship will not enter Paradise." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 13, Vol. 8)

The Prophet Muhammad also said: "Whoever desires an increase in his sustenance and age, should keep good relations with his kith and kin." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 281, Vol. 3) The very special place of mothers in Islam has beeneloquently described by Prophet Muhammad : "A man asked the Prophet : 'Whom should I honor most?' The Prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man. The Prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man. The Prophet replied: 'Your mother!'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man. The Prophet replied: 'Your father'" (Bukhari and Muslim). The mother in Islam is highly respected and treatedin the best of manners.

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Women Rights In Islam:What does Islam say about the mother and parents?

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