Indexed OCR Text

In the Words of the Qur'aan
Describing the incident of Hadhrat Ayyoob v in the Qur'aan, Allaah says in verses
83-84 of Surah Ambiya Jul tak :
وَ أَيُّوْبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّمَّ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ الضُّرُّ وَ أَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّحِمِيْنَ (٤٦ ٨٣) فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَمْ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِمٍ مِنْ ضُرٍّ وَّ
أَتَيْتُهُ أَبْلَهَ وَ مِثْلَهُمْ مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِنْدِنَا وَ ذِكْرِى لِلْعُبِدِينَ (٨٣)
TRANSLATION: And (remember) when Ayyoob v prayed to his Rabb (when he lost his wealth
and children and was afflicted with a disease) saying, "Difficulty has certainly afflicted me and
You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy (so remove my difficulty by Your mercy)."
So We answered his prayer and removed the difficulty that beset him. We then gave him
(back) his family (and his wealth) and as many more in addition as a special mercy from Us
and as a remembrance for the worshippers (so that by his story people can always remember
that patience brings immense rewards).
Verses 41-43 of Surah Saad states:
وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوْبَ ﴿ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّمَ انِّيْ مَسَّنِىَ الشَّيْطُنُ بِنُصْبٍ وَّ عَذَابٍ (٣١٠) أُرْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ نَّ بُذَا
مُغْتَسَلْ بَارِدٌ وَّ شَرَابٌ (٣٢) وَ وَبَيْنَا لَمَّ أَبْلَهُ وَ مِثْلَهُمْ مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَ ذِكْرُى لِأُولِى الْأَلْبَابِ (٣٣)
TRANSLATION: Remember Our slave Ayyoob v. (It is well worth mentioning that) When (he
was suffering from a severe disease after losing all his wealth and children) he called his Rabb
saying, "Verily Shaytaan has afflicted me with pain and difficulty." (When Allaah intended to
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cure him from the disease, Allaah addressed him saying,)"Strike your foot on the ground. (When
he did as commanded, Allaah caused a spring to gush forth from the ground. Allaah then said to him,)
This is cold water (Use it for) for bathing and drinking (after which you will be cured from the
disease)." (After curing him from the disease,) We gifted him with his family and as many of
them in addition (twice as many), as a mercy from Us and a reminder for people of
intelligence (to remind them that Allaah rewards the patient ones and restores their losses).
Fulfilling an Oath
Hadhrat Ayyoob v was deserted by all of his friends and family when he fell ill,
except for his faithful wife, who remained by his side all along. She nursed him
through his illness and remained constantly in his attendance. One day she was
overcome with pity for him and uttered some words that seemed to be a
complaint to Allaah. These words angered Hadhrat Ayyoob v greatly and he took
an oath saying that he would punish her with 100 lashes if he ever recovered
from his illness.
Imaam Ahmed ail das, has quoted from Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t that during
the period when Hadhrat Ayyoob v was being nursed by his wife, Shaytaan paid
them a visit in the disguise of a doctor. When the wife asked Shaytaan if he knew
of a cure, Shaytaan told her that he would provide one on condition that when
Hadhrat Ayyoob v was cured, she would thank him (Shaytaan) by saying, "It was
you who cured my husband." In her desperation, she promised him that she
would do so. After she related the incident to Hadhrat Ayyoob v, he informed
her that she had been tricked by Shaytaan and then reprimanded her for falling
prey to his ploy. It was then that he took an oath saying that he would punish
her with 100 lashes if he ever recovered from his illness.
Whatever the incident was, the dilemma that Hadhrat Ayyoob v faced when he
was cured was how he would fulfil this oath. While it was wrong to break the
oath, it was also wrong to lash someone who had sacrificed so much for him.
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Allaah then solved his dilemma by instructing him to gather a hundred twigs,
bind them together and then strike her once with it. In this manner, he was
released from the oath and no harm came to her.
In the Words of the Qur'an
Describing this episode in the Qur'aan, verse 44 of Surah Saad states:
وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْئًا فَاضْرِبْ بِّ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ﴿إِنَّ وَجَدْتُمُ صَابِرًا ﴿ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ﴿ إِنَّمَّ اوَّابٌ (٣٣)
TRANSLATION: Take a handful of (a hundred) twigs to hit (her lightly) with (it once only), and
(by doing this) do not breach your oath." Verily, We found him (Ayyoob v) to be patient
(throughout the course of his suffering). What a fine slave! He was certainly penitent.
Hadhrat Ayyoob v was tested over a period of 13 years. While all his friends
and family deserted him, there remained two friends who visited him every day.
One day, the one said to the other, "It appears that Ayyoob has committed some
sin because of which he is suffering in this manner." When the other person
reported this to Hadhrat Ayyoob v, he became very worried and pleaded to
Allaah in all earnestness (fearing that the man may be right). It was then that
Allaah instructed him to strike his foot on the ground and to bath in the water
that gushed forth from the spot.
After taking the bath, he walked out of the room in perfect health. Unable to
recognise him because he looked so well, his wife asked, "My ailing husband was
lying in this room. Where is he?" Hadhrat Ayyoob v assured her that it was him
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whom had been cured by the grace and mercy of Allaah. Allaah then
transformed the wheat he had with him into gold and the barley into silver.279
Imaam Bukhaari al 44., has quoted from Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah t that Rasulullaah p
said, "While (the Nabi) Ayyoob v was taking a bath naked golden locust started
to rain down from the sky. As he started to collect them in his robe, his Rabb
called to him saying, 'O Ayyoob! Have I not given you enough to have no need
for this that you see?' Ayyoob v replied, 'I swear by Your honour that you
certainly have. However, I can never not be in want of Your blessings
(Barakah)." Ibn Abi Haatim has also related this from Hadhrat Abdullaah bin
Abbaas t.
Hadhrat Wahab bin Munabbih alto, has stated that Hadhrat Ayyoob v suffered
this illness for three years, while Hadhrat Hasan Basri alan, states that it was
seven years. 280
Narrations from the Torah state that Hadhrat Ayyoob v lived for a further 140
years after his recovery and saw four generations of his progeny.
279 Fat'hul Baari (Vol.6 Pg.326).
280
Tafseer Ibn Katheer (Vol.3 Pg.188).
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Lessons and Conclusions
People who Experience the Harshest of Tests
It has always been the practice of Allaah from bygone times that people who
are closest to Allaah are put through the most difficult tests. When these
people exercise patience through these tests, the very hardships they suffered
become a means for the elevation of their ranks in this world as well as in the
Aakhirah.
Rasulullaah p explained it in the following words, "The people who face the most
difficult tests are the Ambiyaa Jul , followed by the pious ones, then those most
like them and those most like them."281
Rasulullaah p also said, "A person is tested in proportion to the level of his Deen
(religiousness). If his Deen is firm, the tests are made more gruelling."282
The incident of Hadhrat Ayyoob v clearly depicts this.
Perseverance and Fortitude
While it is not very difficult to express gratitude to Allaah when one has been
blessed with wealth and other bounties of this world, what proves to be difficult
is to exercise patience without a word of complaint when one suffers hardship
281 Tafseer Ibn Katheer (Vol.3 Pg.188).
282 Tafseer Ibn Katheer (Vol.3 Pg.188).
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and difficulties. To persevere with fortitude during such trying times is a true test
of a person's belief and faith in Allaah. When a person during such trying times
holds firm and continues to exercise patience and express gratitude, then he
soon falls into the lap of Allaah's mercy and is showered with Allaah's grace.
Again, the incident of Hadhrat Ayyoob v makes a perfect example.
The Value of Loyalty
Amongst the most precious bounties one can be blessed with is to have the
unwavering loyalty of one's spouse. The Ahadeeth of Rasulullaah p has given the
glad tidings of Jannah for the wife who remains loyal to her husband. Such
loyalty is truly appreciated when a husband suffers such calamities and
hardships that find none else to stand by his side and assist him apart from his
wife.
The wife of Hadhrat Ayyoob v stood by him and gave him such love and
compassion that when the time came for him to fulfil his oath, a special
concession was made for her benefit. Such is the regard that even the Shari'ah
accords to a loyal wife.
Creating Concessions in the Shari' al
As discussed earlier, Hadhrat Ayyoob v faced a great dilemma when he was
cured concerning his oath. While it was wrong to break the oath, it was also
wrong to lash someone who had sacrificed so much for him. Allaah then solved
his dilemma by instructing him to gather a hundred twigs, bind them together
and then strike her once with it. In this manner, he was released from the oath
and no harm came to her.
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If concessions such as these are not properly understood, people will soon
transgress the limits of the Shari'ah and may even enter the dangerous waters of
Kufr. This is because ulterior motives are quick to fool a person. This expedient
manner of fulfilling the oath was not intended as a loophole to avoid an
obligation, but was intended to avoid harm coming to his wife. This is therefore
the principle to be followed when some expediency needs to be created in any
matter of the Shari'ah. Such concessions are allowed in the Shari'ah when the
intention is to avoid harm coming to oneself or someone else. They are not
allowed when the intention is to escape an obligation or to legalise a prohibition.
For example, a man may give his wealth as a gift to his wife before the year
passes so that he does not have to pay zakaah. Thereafter, his wife hands it back
to him before the coming year expires so that she also does not need to pay
zakaah. In this manner, years will pass with neither spouse paying anything as
zakaah because neither possessed the wealth for a complete year. Such a
scheme will be sinful because the intention is to avoid a Fardh (obligatory). Little
do they realise that Allaah can never be fooled by this. May Allaah save us from
such tomfoolery.
When the Fuqahaa write the chapters called Kitaabul Hiyal in their books,
containing such concessions and schemes, they by no means intend to
circumvent the codes of the Shari'ah. The intention is only to avoid harm coming
to people or to avoid ugly situations. It needs to be noted that such schemes can
only be made by qualified people such as the Fuqahaa. And Allaah knows best.
Losing Faith
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Allaah makes it evident in the Qur'aan that when righteous people like Hadhrat
Ayyoob v are faced with calamities, they never formulate negative opinions
about Allaah and never lose faith in Him. They continue to persevere and make
du'aa to Allaah, pinning all their hopes in Him. When the help of Allaah is not
immediate, they never lose hope and continue supplicating to Him and trusting
in Him without stretching their hands out to anyone else. They know that Allaah
will soon respond and alleviate the difficulties. This is what Hadhrat Ayyoob v
did throughout the many long years of suffering.
Praising Hadhrat Ayyoob v in the Qur'aan, Allaah says, "What a fine slave! He was
certainly penitent".283
A Reminder for Man
A man must never forget Allaah in prosperity and never lose faith in Him during
times of adversity. He must realise that all these conditions come from Allaah.
Man is constrained by the decree of Allaah, but Allaah is not. Allaah can change
condition whenever He wills. Man therefore needs to trust in Allaah all the time,
as Hadhrat Ayyoob v did. He maintained the same level of gratitude when he
was afflicted by the calamities as he had maintained when he was steeped in
prosperity. Allaah therefore replaced him with more than he initially had.
Allaah says, "(After curing him from the disease,) We gifted him with his family and as many
of them in addition (twice as many), as a mercy from Us and a reminder for people of
intelligence (to remind them that Allaah rewards the patient ones and restores their losses)" .284
283
Surah Saad, verse 44.
284
Surah Saad, verse 43.
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Sayyiduna Yunus V
Hadhrat Yunus U in the Qur'aan
Hadhrat Yunus v is mentioned in 6 Surahs of the Qur'aan. While his name is
mentioned in four Surahs, his titles of Dhun Noon and Saahibul Hoot (man of the
fish) are mentioned in the other two. These Surahs are:
1.
Surah Nisaa: verse 163
2. Surah An'aam: verse 87
3. Surah Yunus: verse 98
4.
Surah Ambiya pull ale : Verses 87, 88
5. Surah Saaffaat: verses 139, 148
6. Surah Qalam: verses 48-50
While Surah An'aam only mentions his name in a list of other Ambiyaa pull we, the
other Surahs provide some glimpses of his story. These glimpses concern his life
as a Nabi.
Introduction
Muslim historians all agree that Hadhrat Yunus v was the son of Matta and this
name is mentioned in a narration of Bukhaari. Christian historians claim that his
father's name was Yunaa and that he lived between the years 860 and 784 B.C.
Hadhrat Yunus v belonged to the Bani Israa'eel, but was sent to Iraq to guide the
Assyrian people. The capital of the Assyrian people at the time was Nineveh, the
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ruins of which are still evident today on the eastern banks of the Tigris River. It is
close to Mosul and called Yunus Nabi.
Haafidh Ibn Hajar , has written that the period during which Hadhrat Yunus v
lived is difficult to identify. The Qur'aan states that the population of Nineveh at
the time was over 100000, while a narration in Tirmidhi specifies that it was
120000.
The Story of Hadbrat Yunus U in the light of the
Qu'aan and Ahadeeth
Although the Qur'aan speaks briefly of the story of Hadhrat Yunus v, the
Ahadeeth provide further details. It is stated that the people of Nineveh to which
he was sent were idol worshippers and he spend a long period of time trying to
preach to them. However, just like the many nations before them, they rejected
the message of Towheed and even mocked at him. When they collectively
resolved not to believe, Allaah told him to warn the people that they would be
afflicted by a severe punishment after three days.
The leaders of the community knew that Hadhrat Yunus u never lied and since
this was the first time he had issued such a warning, they realised that this may
be their end. They therefore convened and decided to watch what he does. If he
left them, then the warning was certainly true, but if he did not, they had
nothing to fear.
The night before the third day dawned, Hadhrat Yunus v left the city by the
command of Allaah and had travelled a distance by the time morning arrived.
The punishment came as a dark cloud and started to draw close to the city, when
the people started to panic. They knew that their destruction was imminent if
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they did not believe in what Hadhrat Yunus v taught them. However, they were
unable to find him, so they immediately repented for their past and declared
their Imaan. With humility and sincere repentance, their men, women and
children all gathered in a nearby field and pleaded to Allaah to forgive them.
Allaah accepted their repentance and removed the punishment. Some narrations
state that this took place on the day of Aashura (10th of Muharram).
When Hadhrat Yunus u saw that the punishment had been removed, he was
hesitant to return to the city because he would be executed for lying to them
about the punishment. Little did he realise that they had all accepted Imaan. He
therefore decided to leave the area since he could think of no way of saving
himself from execution.
He therefore headed for the Euphrates River, where he boarded a boat that
was full of people. As they boat reached midway across the river, it suddenly
stopped and would not move at all despite the efforts of the crew. The crew
then made an announcement that since the boat sailed and stopped by the will
of Allaah it appeared that Allaah had stopped it because there was a runaway
slave on board. They pleaded to the guilty person to give himself up so that the
rest of them may not suffer on his account.
Realising that he was the one who ran away without the permission of his
Master Allaah, Hadhrat Yunus v declared that he was the runaway slave and
should therefore be thrown overboard. However, seeing his pious and noble
countenance, the people refused to accept that he could be the guilty one. They
eventually decided to draw lots to determine who would be thrown overboard.
When the lots were drawn, Hadhrat Yunus v's name was drawn all three times
and the people were left with no other choice.
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Although Hadhrat Yunus u did not commit a sin, he was guilty of an
inappropriate action by leaving without Allaah's permission and this is regarded
as a crime for someone of his calibre.
Nonetheless, he was cast overboard close to bank so that he could swim to
safety. However, Allaah had decided differently. While the boat started to sail on
its way, a gigantic fish swam up to Hadhrat Yunus v and swallowed him whole.
Mufassireen report from Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t that Hadhrat Yunus
v spent forty days in the belly of the fish, during which period, he travelled to
the bottom of the water and also to many distant places. Some Mufassireen
write that he spent seven days, other say it was three days, while some say it
was only a few hours.
While he was in the belly of the fish, Hadhrat Yunus v supplicated to Allaah and
said, "There is no Ilaah but You (O Allaah). You are Pure. I have certainly been from
among the wrongdoers (so please forgive me and remove me from this fish)". Allaah accepted
his plea and instructed the fish to deliver him to the bank, which it promptly did.
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t reports that because of his stay in the fish's
belly, the body of Hadhrat Yunus u had become soft and sensitive just like that of
a newborn fledgling. Extremely weak and suffering exposure, he lay on the water
bank unable to move. Allaah then made a tree grow over him for shade and
instructed a mountain goat to come to him every morning an evening so that he
could drink its milk. When his strength had returned, he was instructed to return
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to Nineveh. Upon returning, he was ecstatic to learn what had happened and
that his years of preaching had borne pristine fruit.285
In the Words of the Qur' aan
Relating the story in different parts, the Qur'aan has the following to say:
Verse 98 of Surah Yunus states:
فَلَوْ لَا كَانَتْ قَرْيَةٌ أُمَنَتْ فَنَفَعَهَا اِيْمَانُهَا إِلَّا قَوْمَ يُؤْنُسَ * لَمَّا أُمَنُوا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْىِ فِى الْحَيُوةِ الدُّنْيَا
وَمَتَّعْنُهُمْ إِلَى حِيْنِ (٩٨)
TRANSLATION: There has been no nation who accepted Imaan (just before Allaah's
punishment struck them), then their Imaan profited them (because they were saved from Allaah's
punishment), except the nation of Yunus v. When they accepted Imaan, We turned away
from them a punishment of disgrace in this worldly life and We granted them enjoyment
for a while (for as long as they lived afterwards).
Verses 87-88 of Surah Ambiyaa >all Male State:
وَذَا النُّوْنِ إِذْ ذَّبَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَنْ لَّنْ نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَى فِى الظُّلْمُتِ أَنْ لَّا إِلهَ إِلَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحَنَكَ * إِنِّىْ كُنْتُ
مِنَ الظَّلِمِيْنَ (٨٧) فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَمَ نٌ وَ نَجَّيْتُهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ ٥* وَكَذُلِكَ نُنْجِى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (٨٨)
285 Tafseer Ibn Katheer has narrated the incident in this manner.
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TRANSLATION: And (do not forget) the person of the fish (Yunus v) when he left (the town) in
anger (without requesting permission from Us) and thought that We would not straiten things
for him. (However, when a large fish swallowed him,) He prayed in the darkness (of its belly)
saying, "There is no Ilaah but You (O Allaah). You are Pure. I have certainly been from
among the wrongdoers (so please forgive me and remove me from this fish)." So We responded
to his du'aa and rescued him from distress (suffocation, by causing the fish to spit him out).
Thus (as We rescued him) do We rescue the Mu'mineen (from difficulties).
Verses 139-148 of Surah Saaffaat read:
وَ إِنَّ يُؤْنُسَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ (١٣٩) ﴿ إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى الْفُلْكِ الْمَشْحُوْنِ (١٢٠) فَسَابَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُدْحَضِيْنَ
(١٣١) فَالْتَقَمَرُ الْحُوْتُ وَ بُوَ مُلِيمٌ (١٢٢) فَلَوْلَا أَنَّهَ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُسَبِّحِيْنَ (١٢٣) لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِمْ إِلَى يَوْمٍ
يُبْعَثُوْنَ (٢١٢٣َّ فَبَذْنُمُ بِالْعَرَاءِ وَ بُوَ سَقِيمٌ (١٣٥) وَ أَنْبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةً مِّنْ يَّقْطِيْنِ (١٣٢) وَ أَرْسَلْتُهُ إِلَى
مِائَةِ اَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيْدُوْنَ (١٢٧)﴾ فَأَمَنُوْا فَمَتَّعْنُهُمْ إِلَى حِيْنٍ (١٩٨).
TRANSLATION: Yunus v was certainly from the Ambiyaa. (Remember the time) When (after
losing hope of his people accepting Imaan) he left (the town without Allaah's command and headed)
for the laden ship. They drew lots and (each time) he (Yunus v) was of the losers.
(Consequently, he was cast overboard.) Then (when he fell into the ocean) a (large) fish swallowed
him (whole) for he was blameworthy (guilty of leaving the town without first waiting for Allaah's
command). If he were not from those who glorify Allaah he would have remained in its (the
fish's) belly until the day people are resurrected. (However, We rescued him from the fish and)
We cast him on a barren shore, and he was ill (after spending a long time in the fish's belly).
We then caused a creeper to grow over him (to shade him as he regained his strength). Then
We sent him (to preach) to a nation of a hundred thousand or more. (During Yunus v's
absence from his town) They (the people of his town) accepted Imaan and We allowed them to
enjoy themselves (to live) for a while (rather than suffer punishment as Yunus v thought).
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Verses 48-50 of Surah Qalam state:
فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَ لَا تَكُنْ كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوْتِ " إِذْ نَادَى وَ بُوَ مَكْظُوْمٌ (+٣٨) لَوْ لَا أَنْ تَدْرَكَمَ نِعْمَةٌ مِّنْ
رَّبِّ لَنُبِذَ بِالْعَرَاءِ وَ بُوَ مَنْمُوْمٌ (٣٩) فَاجْتَبُهُ رَبُّمَّ فَجَعَلَهُ مِنَ الصُّلِحِينَ (٥٠)
TRANSLATION: So (O Rasulullaah p) be patient with the decision of your Rabb (to postpone
the punishment) and do not be (hasty for the punishment to come immediately) like the person of
the fish (Yunus v) who called (to Allaah for help) as he was suppressing his grief (while in the
stomach of the fish). If the grace of his Rabb did not reach him, he would have been cast on
to the bare shore in a blameworthy condition (without assistance because he had been guilty of
leaving his town without Allaah's permission). (However, Allaah shaded him on the shore and provided
food for him there.) His Rabb selected him and made him among the righteous.
The Demise of Hadhrat Yunus V
While some Mufassireen state that Hadhrat Yunus v passed away in Nineveh
where he lived, others state that he passed away in the city of Khaleel in
Palestine, which is the resting place of many Ambiyaa >w . Research scholars
agree with the first opinion because historians agree that after returning to the
people of Nineveh, Hadhrat Yunus v lived amongst them for the rest of his life,
guiding and teaching them.
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Lessons and Conclusions
Reminders of the Punishment of Allaah
The story of Hadhrat Yunus v teaches the profound lesson that this life is
extremely precious and if it is not valued and spent in negligence, the
consequences will be impossible to redress. People are reminded that a time will
certainly come when repentance will be useless. This time is either when Allaah's
punishment is before a person or when a person is about to die.
The people of Hadhrat Yunus u were fortunate to repent when the signs of
punishment started to arrive and were saved from it. This was a moment when
Imaan was beneficial and not declared too late. In this is clear lesson for all
Kuffaar nations to learn and take heed.
Addressing a Misconception
Speaking about Hadhrat Yunus v, Rasulullaah p once said, "None of you should
ever say that I am better than Yunus bin Matta."286 Although it is unanimously
accepted that Rasulullaah p was the best of all the Ambiyaa pul sk, Resulullaah p
intended to warn people against thinking less of Hadhrat Yunus v. This is
because some people may be given to undermine the noble status of Hadhrat
Yunus v when reading his story.
The Presence of the Ambiyans # Amongst People is a Sign of their Fortune
286
Bukhaari.
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When the nation of a Nabi v continues rejecting his message, the Nabi v
eventually seeks to be separated from them and the punishment of Allaah
arrives. They are then given a grace period of three days within which time they
have two choices:
1. They may either accept Imaan before the punishment arrives and be spared
2. They may persist upon their deviation and be destroyed by the punishment.
This was the path that the people of Hadhrat Nooh v, the Aad, the Thamud,
the people of Hadhrat Loot v and others took.
The only nation that was wise enough to adopt the first choice was the nation of
Hadhrat Yunus v, who have become an example to others; if only they would
take heed.
A Delicate Matter
Allaah treats His Ambiyaa place differently from common people because they
are in direct contact with Allaah. They know exactly what pleases Allaah and
what displeases Him and are therefore obliged to do everything strictly
according to the instructions from Allaah. This applies especially to their task of
propagating the message of Allaah. Therefore, when they hasten to do anything
unilaterally, they will be required to account for it, regardless of how
insignificant the act may be. In fact, they are taken to task so severely for this
that an outsider would think that they have committed a grave sin.
However, it has always been the trait of these noble personalities that they
would immediately repent in earnest upon the slightest warning and beg for
Allaah's forgiveness. Allaah appreciates this and forgives them, thereby adding
to their status and honour. Someone who reads the Qur'aan when he is unaware
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of this may well fall into the misconception that the Ambiya pull committed
sins. Of course, this could not be further from the truth.
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Sayyiduna Dhul Kiff U
Hadbrat Dhul Kill U in the Qur'aan
Hadhrat Dhul Kifl v has been mentioned in two Surahs of the Qur'aan only by his
name in a list of other Ambiyaa Jul de. The Qur'aan does not mention any details
about him. However, there are narrations in the books of Tafseer that shed some
light upon his life.
Allaah mentions in verse 85-86 of Surah Ambiyaa pull alc .
وَاِسْمَعِيْلَ وَ إِذْرِيْسَ وَ ذَا الْكِفْلِ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّبِرِيْنَ ( ٨٥) وَ ادْخَلْنُهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِنَا ﴿ إِنَّهُمْ مِّنَ الصُّلِحِيْنَ
(AF)
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