Yunus (Jonas)

98. “Why was there not a township which believed, so that their belief should have profited them, except the people of Jonah (Yunus)? When they believed, We removed from them the Penalty of Ignominy in the life of the world, and gave them enjoyment for a while.”

Allah, the Gracious, had said in the previous verses, Pharaoh’s repentance when he witnessed the Punishment was not accepted.

In line with this account, the Qur’an recounts the story of the nation of Jonah before the Punishment was imposed, asking the question why is it that the people of every settlement do not become believers when their faith would bring them dividends and is to their advantage?

Allah, the Gracious, likewise has declared that accepting faith at the time when the punishment is imposed and death is near is of no avail. However, when the nation of Jonah witnessed the early signs of the Punishment they started to believe, and Allah relieved them from it, and allowed them to enjoy their lives until the end of their lifetimes, and reap the fruits of His blessings.

The verse says:

“Why was there not a township which believed, so that their belief should have profited them, except the people of Jonah (Yunus)? When they believed, We removed from them the Penalty of Ignominy in the life of the world, and gave them enjoyment for a while.”

According to Hadrat Sadiq (as), Hadrat Jonah (as) had been preaching for 33 years, starting at the age of 30 until the age of 63. However, he only was successful in converting two people to the religion of monotheism. He then cursed the people for their recalcitrance.

One of these two believers was a sage and philosopher. When he noticed the prophet’s cursing the people and his departure, he went up to them and warned them in a loud voice.

The people who were impressed, under his guidance, left the town distancing themselves from their children, and they cried and repented before Allah until they were forgiven. On his return, Jonah (as) had noticed that township had not been annihilated. He asked the reason and was told the story.¹

Therefore, faith and repentance in sufficient time removes Divine Punishment, while prayer and supplication both removes the Punishment and generates success and happiness. (Regarding the occasion of revelation)