Jonah (Yūnus) - Definition and Meaning
Definition
Jonah (Yūnus in Arabic) is recognized as a prophet in Islam who symbolizes patience and perseverance. His story is noted for his being swallowed by a large fish or whale when he attempted to flee from God’s command. Subsequently, after being delivered from the fish, Jonah carried God’s message of impending punishment to the people of Nineveh. The people repented and were thus saved.
Etymology
The name Jonah is derived from the Hebrew word “Yonah” meaning “dove.” The Arabic counterpart Yūnus shares the same root, indicating a general unity of meaning across the Semitic languages.
Background
Jonah’s story is both Qur’anic and Biblical, tying together Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions in an exemplary narrative of divine deliverance and human repentance. In the Qur’an, his account is particularly detailed in Surah 21:87-88 and Surah 37:139-148.
Historical Facts and Dates
The story of Jonah took place in ancient times. The historical city of Nineveh, where Jonah preached, was one of the major cities of the Assyrian Empire, located near modern-day Mosul, Iraq.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
In Islamic tradition, Yūnus (Jonah) is remembered more as an embodiment of human fallibility and divine forgiveness, while in Christian tradition, Jonah’s narrative is part of a larger theological tapestry pointing to themes of redemption.
Synonyms
- Yūnus (Arabic)
- Jonas (Latin)
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms related to the figure of Jonah, but disobedience to divine command may be considered conceptually opposite to Jonah’s eventual repentance and mission.
Related Terms
- Repentance (Tawbah): In the story, the people of Nineveh repent after hearing Jonah’s message.
- Patience (Ṣabr): The virtue that Jonah is often associated with.
- Prophet (Nabi): Jonah is recognized as one of the prophets in Islam.
Exciting Facts
- The large fish or whale that swallowed Jonah is often interpreted symbolically, representing trials and tribulations.
- Jonah is among the few prophets acknowledged by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Quotations
The Qur’an Surah 21:87-88 portrays Jonah’s prayer during his ordeal:
“And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree anything upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, ‘There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.’ So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.”
References
- The Qur’an, Surah 21 (Al-Anbiya), Verses 87-88
- Surah 37 (As-Saffat), Verses 139-148
- The Holy Bible, Book of Jonah
- Tabari’s History, vol. I
- “The Prophets of Islam” by Sayyed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi
Suggested Literature
- “Stories of the Prophets” by Ibn Kathir
- “The Islamic View of Major Prophets: From Adam to Muhammad” by Mahmoud M. Ayoub
- Comparative Religion: “Prophets in the Bible and the Qur’an” by Kenneth Cragg
Quizzes
May the wisdom of prophets inspire endurance and inner peace in the journey of life 🌿.
- Khalid Al-Rashid, October 2023
