Dua of Yunus (A.S.) for Distress, Repentance, and Divine Rescue
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ، سُبْحَانَكَ، إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Transliteration:
Lā ilāha illā anta, subḥānaka, innī kuntu minaẓ-ẓālimīn
Translation:
There is no deity except You; Glory be to You. Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.
Story Behind Prophet Yunus Dua
In the Qur’an, Prophet Yunus (A.S.) is referred to as Dhul-Nūn, meaning the companion of the fish. This title is not merely symbolic, it carries the weight of a profound spiritual lesson rooted in obedience, patience, and repentance.
Allah appointed Yunus (A.S.) to guide the people of Nineveh (present-day Northern Iraq), a community steeped in disbelief and wrongdoing. Like many Prophets before him, Yunus (A.S.) faced persistent rejection. Despite his tireless efforts, the people refused to heed his call.
Overwhelmed by frustration, Yunus (A.S.) left his people without awaiting Allah’s command, believing his efforts had been exhausted elsewhere. The Qur’an describes this moment succinctly:
“…when he ran away to the laden ship.” (Surah As-Saffat 37:140)
The ship he boarded was heavy with cargo. When a violent storm arose and the vessel began to sink, the crew discarded all possessions to lighten the load yet it was not enough. Realizing a human must be sacrificed to save the ship, they drew lots.
Each time the lots were drawn, Yunus (A.S.) was chosen. Understanding this as a divine sign, he accepted his fate and cast himself into the raging sea. At Allah’s command, a great fish swallowed him whole.
The Qur’an describes Yunus (A.S.) being engulfed in layers of darkness: the darkness of night, the depths of the ocean, and the confinement within the belly of the fish. Alone, helpless, and fully aware of his mistake, Yunus (A.S.) turned to Allah with complete humility. From the depths of despair, he uttered this timeless du‘a, a confession of Allah’s oneness, His perfection, and Yunus’s own wrongdoing.
Allah responded to his sincere repentance:
“So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:88)
Why Dua of Yunus Is Important
This du‘a teaches us that no darkness is deeper than Allah’s mercy. It is a reminder that even Prophets were not immune to error but what defined them was their immediate return to Allah with humility and truth.
The du‘a of Yunus (A.S.) is especially powerful in moments of:
- Severe distress
- Feeling trapped or hopeless
- Regret over past mistakes
- Emotional or spiritual isolation
By acknowledging Allah’s perfection and our own shortcomings, this du‘a opens the door to relief, forgiveness, and divine rescue. It teaches us that deliverance begins with accountability and that sincere repentance is always met with mercy.
As Allah promises, this salvation is not exclusive to Yunus (A.S.) alone:
“And thus do We save the believers.”
Incident from the Sunnah
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the immense power of the du‘a of Yunus (A.S.) and taught it as a supplication for moments of extreme distress.
Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The supplication of Dhun-Nun (Yunus) when he supplicated while in the belly of the fish was:
‘Lā ilāha illā anta, subḥānaka, innī kuntu minaẓ-ẓālimīn.’
No Muslim ever supplicates with it for anything, except that Allah responds to him.”
(Tirmidhi)
This hadith highlights that the du‘a of Yunus (A.S.) is not confined to his story alone, it is a living supplication for the Ummah. The Prophet ﷺ personally endorsed it as a means of relief, making it one of the most powerful du‘as a believer can turn to during hardship.
Related Duas:
Dua of Prophet Musa
Dua of Prophet Ibrahim
Dua of Adam (A.S.)
Dua Before Sleeping
