Deliverance from Distress and Tawhid

Tafsir of Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Saadi

Sheikh as-Saadi writes: “In this supplication lies the great secret of deliverance: the affirmation of Allah’s oneness, the praise of His perfection and the sincere admission of one’s own error saves the believer from every calamity.”

Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir

Ibn Kathir stresses: “Allah said immediately after this verse: ‘We answered his prayer and saved him from sorrow. Thus do We save the believers!’ (21:88) — this is a promise for all believers until the Day of Judgement.”

Tafsir al-Baghawi

“…And Dhun-Nun…” That is, remember the companion of the whale, namely Yunus ibn Matta.

“…When he went away from them, angry…” The word “mugadiban” in this verse is derived from “mugadaba,” which can be used of a single person, as in the words “musafir” (traveler) and “mu‘aqaba” (punishment). The word “mugadiban” means “being angry.” Al-Hasan said: He became angry with his Lord because He had commanded him to go to his people, warn them of Allah’s wrath, and call them to Him. He asked his Lord to give him time to prepare to meet the people, but he was told that the matter was so urgent that there was no time for that.

He asked for time to fetch his sandals and put them on, but no time was given for that either. There was a weakness in his character, so he went away angry.

It is related from Ibn ‘Abbas that he said: Jibril came to Yunus and said, “Go to the people of Nineveh and warn them.” He said, “I will find a mount.” Jibril then said, “This matter is more urgent than that.” So he became angry and went to the ship.

“…and thought that We would not constrain him…” That is, that We would not punish him for his disobedience. This is the opinion of Mujahid, Qatada, al-Dahhak, and al-Kalbi. It is also related through al-‘Awfi from Ibn ‘Abbas.

They say, “qaddara Allahu ash-shay’a” (Allah determined something) and “qadara Allahu ash-shay’a” have the same meaning. An example of this is the words of Allah, the Exalted: “We have decreed death among you…” (Surah al-Waqi‘ah, verse 60). The recitation of those who read it without doubling the letter dal is evidence for this interpretation; this is the recitation of ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz and al-Zuhri.

“…and thought that We would not constrain him…” with the letter dal doubled. ‘Ata and the majority of scholars said: Its meaning is that he thought We would not restrict his confinement. This is like the words of Allah, the Exalted: “Allah extends provision to whomever He wills (among His servants), and restricts (it for whomever He wills).” (Surah al-Ra‘d, verse 26) That is, He restricts it.

Ibn Zayd said: This is a question, and its meaning is: Did he think that his Lord would be unable to punish him?

Ya‘qub read “yuqdaru” with a damma on the ya, in the passive-voice form of the verb.

“…And he called out in the darknesses: ‘There is no god but You! Glory be to You! Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers!’…” That is, in the darkness of the night, the darkness of the sea, and the darkness of the whale’s belly.

It is related from Abu Hurayrah: Allah inspired the whale, “Swallow him, but do not scratch his flesh or break his bones.” The whale swallowed him and then made its way to its abode in the sea. When it descended to the very bottom of the sea, Yunus heard a rustling sound. He wondered to himself, “What is that?”

Allah then answered him by revelation: “This is the glorification of Allah by the creatures of the sea.” He too began to glorify Allah while in the whale’s belly, and the angels heard him. The angels said, “Our Lord, we hear a faint voice in some strange land.” Another report says: “A familiar voice from an unfamiliar place.”

Allah said, “This is My servant Yunus, who disobeyed Me, and I confined him in the belly of a whale.” The angels said, “Is this the servant whose righteous deeds used to ascend to You every day and every night?” Allah replied, “Yes.” Then the angels began to intercede for him.

After that, Allah commanded the whale to release Yunus, and it cast him ashore. As Allah, the Exalted, said: “Then We cast him onto a barren shore, and he was very weak…” (Surah al-Saffat, verse 145)