Story of Jonah's People
قِصَّةُ قَوْمِ يُونُسَ
The story of the people of Prophet Jonah (Yunus) holds a special place in Islamic tradition, offering a profound lesson in repentance and divine mercy. Unlike other communities who faced destruction for their disbelief, this was a [single city that believed so its faith benefited it] *before* the decreed punishment fully descended. Prophet Jonah was sent to a vast community, [of a hundred thousand or more], to call them to Allah. Initially, they resisted his message. When signs of impending doom became clear, and seeing their prophet depart, the people were seized with remorse. They collectively turned to Allah in sincere repentance, humbling themselves and pleading for forgiveness. In an extraordinary act of mercy, Allah accepted their genuine change of heart. [They believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time], lifting the looming punishment of disgrace and granting them continued peace. This narrative powerfully illustrates Allah's infinite compassion and the immense value of sincere, collective repentance, reminding believers that divine mercy can avert even a determined decree when hearts truly turn to their Creator.
Quran 3 verses
فَلَوْلَا كَانَتْ قَرْيَةٌ ءَامَنَتْ فَنَفَعَهَآ إِيمَٰنُهَآ إِلَّا قَوْمَ يُونُسَ لَمَّآ ءَامَنُوا۟ كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْخِزْىِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَتَّعْنَٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
Falaw laa kaanat qaryatun aamanat fanafa'ahaaa eemaanuhaaa illaa qawma Yoonusa lammaaa aamanoo kashafnaa 'anhum 'azaabal khizyi fil hayaatid dunyaa wa matta'naahum ilaa heen
Then has there not been a [single] city that believed so its faith benefited it except the people of Jonah? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in worldly life and gave them enjoyment for a time.
تو کوئی بستی ایسی کیوں نہ ہوئی کہ ایمان لاتی تو اس کا ایمان اسے نفع دیتا ہاں یونس کی قوم۔ جب ایمان لائی تو ہم نے دنیا کی زندگی میں ان سے ذلت کا عذاب دور کردیا اور ایک مدت تک (فوائد دنیاوی سے) ان کو بہرہ مند رکھا
Commentary
وَأَرْسَلْنَٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِا۟ئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ
Wa arsalnaahu ilaa mi'ati alfin aw yazeedoon
And We sent him to [his people of] a hundred thousand or more.
اور ان کو لاکھ یا اس سے زیادہ (لوگوں) کی طرف (پیغمبر بنا کر) بھیجا
Commentary
فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعْنَٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
Fa aamanoo famatta' naahum ilaa heen
And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time.
تو وہ ایمان لے آئے سو ہم نے بھی ان کو (دنیا میں) ایک وقت (مقرر) تک فائدے دیتے رہے
Commentary
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