their city (1), and their rooftops turned black. When they saw this, they became certain that they were doomed. They sought Jonah, their prophet, but could not find him. Allah then inspired repentance in their hearts, so they went out onto the open ground with their own persons, their women, their children (2), and their animals. They put on sackcloth, openly professed faith and repentance, and made their intentions sincere. They separated every mother from her child, among both people and livestock, so that they longed for one another. Their cries rose and mingled with the people’s cries. They cried aloud and humbly implored Allah, saying, “We believe in that which Jonah has brought.” Their Lord then had mercy on them, answered their supplication, and lifted the punishment from them after it had drawn over them. This took place on the Day of Ashura.
Jonah had departed and remained waiting for the punishment and the destruction of his people, but he saw nothing. Now, anyone who made a false claim without proof was put to death. Jonah said, “How can I return to my people when I have told them something untrue?” He set off, distressed over his Lord’s decree and angered with his people. He came to the sea, where he found people boarding a ship. They recognized him and took him aboard without charge. Once he had boarded and the ship had reached deep waters with them amid surging waves, it came to a standstill, neither moving back nor forward.
The people aboard said, “There is something amiss with our ship.” Jonah said, “I know what is amiss with it: a man burdened with a grave sin has boarded it.” They asked, “Who is he?” He said, “It is I. Throw me into the sea.” They replied, “We will not cast you out from among us until we have a valid excuse concerning your case.” They then cast lots three times, and the lot fell against him. The great fish was beside the ship, with its mouth open, awaiting its Lord’s command concerning him. Jonah said, “By Allah, you will all perish unless you throw me into it.” So they cast him into the sea and went on their way, and the fish took him.
It is also related that Allah, exalted is He, revealed to a huge fish, which then made for the ship. When the people aboard saw it, like a vast mountain, with its mouth open and gazing at those in the ship as though it were seeking something, they feared it. When Jonah saw it, he threw himself into the water.
Ibn Abbas reported that Jonah departed angry with his people and came to the Mediterranean Sea, where he found a heavily laden ship. He boarded it, and when the ship entered deep waters, it listed until they nearly drowned. The sailors said, “There is a disobedient man or a fugitive slave here. It is the custom of a ship that, if a fugitive slave is aboard, it does not sail. Our practice in such a case is to cast lots; whoever is chosen by the lot, we throw into the sea. For one person to drown is better than for the ship and all that is in it to drown.” They cast lots three times, and each time the lot fell upon Jonah. Jonah said, “I am the disobedient man and the fugitive slave.” He then threw himself into the water, and a fish swallowed him. Then another fish, larger than it, came and swallowed that fish. Allah revealed to the fish, “Do not harm a single hair of him, for I have made your belly his prison and have not made him food for you.”
It is also related from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, that the fish was called out to: “We have not made Jonah sustenance for you; rather, We have made your belly a sanctuary and a place of worship for him.”
It is also related that, before the lots were cast, Jonah stood and said, “I am the disobedient servant and the fugitive.” They asked, “Who are you?” He replied, “I am Jonah son of Amittai.” They recognized him and said, “We will not cast you overboard, O Messenger of Allah; rather, we shall cast lots.” But the lot fell upon him, so he threw himself into the water.