The Story of Jonah ﷺ
He was among the eminent prophets of the Children of Israel. Allah dispatched him to the people of Nineveh in the region of Mosul. He summoned them to Allah Most High, but they refused; he repeated the call, and they still refused. He therefore warned them of an impending punishment and departed from their midst, failing to exhibit the patience that was required. Instead he fled, angry with them. Once their prophet had gone, however, repentance and turning back to Allah were cast into their hearts after they witnessed the first signs of the punishment, and so Allah removed the punishment from them.

Apparently Jonah knew that the punishment had been lifted, yet he continued on his way. Hence Allah said, “when he went away in anger” (Al-Anbiya 87), and He said, “when he fled to the laden ship” (As-Saffat 140).

He boarded a ship that was heavily burdened (1) with passengers and cargo. When they reached the middle of the sea, the vessel was on the verge of sinking. They were confronted with two options: either everyone would remain on board and all would perish, or they would cast overboard a number of people sufficient to lighten the ship so that the rest could be saved. In fairness—and by Allah’s enabling grace—they chose the second course. They drew lots, and the lot fell upon several of them, Jonah ﷺ among them; for this reason Allah said, “and he was one of those overcome by the lot” (As-Saffat 141), meaning that the lot fell against him. They were thrown overboard, and a great fish swallowed him whole—without breaking a bone or chewing any flesh.