1 supplications
The Dua of Prophet Yunus (Jonah)
Yunus called on his Lord from three darknesses: the darkness of the night, of the sea and of the whale’s belly. His few words combined the oneness of Allah, His glorification and a confession of fault, and the Prophet ﷺ said that no Muslim supplicates with them for anything but Allah answers him (at-Tirmidhi).
The dua of Yunus
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minadh-dhalimin.
There is no god but You; glory be to You. Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers. “No Muslim ever supplicates with it for anything but Allah answers him.”
Source: Qur’an 21:87; Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi
The story behind the du‘a
Yunus was sent to the people of Nineveh. When they rejected his call he left them in anger before Allah permitted him, and boarded a ship. At sea the ship was in danger; lots were drawn and fell on him, and he was cast into the water, where a great fish swallowed him. In the darkness he recognised his mistake and called: “There is no god but You; glory be to You; indeed I have been among the wrongdoers” (21:87).
Allah says: “So We answered him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers” (21:88). The last words are a promise to every believer who calls with the same sincerity. Allah also says that had he not been among those who glorify Him, he would have remained in its belly until the Day of Resurrection (37:143-144).
Why these words are so powerful
The du‘a contains three things. First, tawhid: “There is no god but You”, the greatest truth. Second, tasbih: “glory be to You”, declaring Allah free of any injustice in what befell him. Third, an admission: “I have been among the wrongdoers”, taking responsibility instead of blaming others. A heart that combines these three is ready to be answered.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The du‘a of Dhun-Nun when he called while in the belly of the whale: no Muslim supplicates with it for anything but Allah answers him” (at-Tirmidhi). Some scholars considered it to contain the Greatest Name of Allah, because it is answered so readily.
How to use it
Recite it in times of distress, debt, illness, worry or guilt, as many times as you like, with presence of heart. Many Muslims gather to recite it together in hard times, but it is best said in private, especially in prostration and in the last third of the night. Combine it with repentance and with taking the means available to you.
Lessons from the story of Yunus
His story teaches that no one is beyond the reach of Allah’s mercy, even in the deepest darkness. It teaches the danger of leaving one’s duty in anger, and the power of admitting one’s mistake. It also shows the mercy of Allah towards whole peoples: after Yunus left, his people believed, and Allah lifted the punishment from them (10:98). Allah mentions him among the prophets and commands His Messenger ﷺ not to be like “the companion of the fish” in impatience (68:48).
Putting this dua into practice
- Memorise it and say it the moment you feel distress, before turning to anyone else.
- Say it in prostration during voluntary prayers.
- Use it in the last third of the night, when du‘a is answered.
- Follow it with your specific request.
- Combine it with sincere repentance for what you did wrong.
The Dua of Prophet Yunus (Jonah): questions and answers
How many times should I say the dua of Yunus?
No number is fixed in authentic narrations. Say it as often as you need, with sincerity; quality matters more than quantity.
Can I say it for something specific, like a job or a cure?
Yes. The hadith says Allah answers it “for anything”; say it, then ask for your need.