Prophet Yunus Prayer in the Whale & Its Meaning: A Powerful Dua

Have you ever felt completely stuck in life? When problems come relentlessly, leaving you feeling as though there is no way out—much like a person trapped in a dark, narrow space. This feeling is akin to the story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah) AS when he was swallowed and trapped in the belly of a whale at the bottom of the ocean. Yet, he was saved by a truly extraordinary dhikr.

Many Muslims seek the Prophet Yunus prayer in the whale and its meaning because they firmly believe in the miraculous power of these words. Far from being just an ancient tale, this supplication is a potent spiritual solution for anyone suffering from anxiety, illness, or seeking the fulfillment of a great need.

Let us explore the complete reading of this prayer, how to practice it, and the hidden secrets behind it, based on the explanations of classical scholars of Tafsir and Hadith. This guide is part of our comprehensive collection of the prayers of the prophets.

The Complete Prophet Yunus Prayer (Arabic, Transliteration, and Meaning)

The supplication uttered by Prophet Yunus inside the whale is essentially a profound declaration of monotheism (Tawhid) and the glorification of Allah (Tasbih), combined with a sincere confession of wrongdoing. This prayer is immortalized by Allah SWT in Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 87.

Here is the complete text of Prophet Yunus’s prayer in Arabic, Latin transliteration, and English translation:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Transliteration: “La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minadz-dzalimin.”

Meaning: “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”Transliteration: “La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minadz-dzalimin.” Meaning: “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”

This noble phrase is also frequently referred to as the Dhikr of Dhun Nun. Prophet Yunus was given the title Dhun Nun (The Man of the Fish), and this ultimate prayer is inextricably linked to that title.

Why is Prophet Yunus’s Dua So Powerful?

Many wonder, what exactly is the specific function of this prayer? Is it solely to seek physical salvation from danger? In reality, its virtues are far broader. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated that this prayer contains Ismullah Al-A’zham (The Greatest Name of Allah).

For deeper insight, let us examine the explanation in the book Al-Bahr al-Madid by Shaykh Ahmad bin Ajiba. He cited a hadith regarding the incredible power of this dua to grant requests while strengthening our faith in Allah:

وعنه صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: «اسم الله الذي إذا دعي به أجاب، وإذا سئل به أعطى: دعوة يونس بن متى، قيل: يا رسول الله، أليونس خاصة؟ قال: بل هي عامة لكل مؤمن، ألم تسمع قول الله تعالى: وكذلك ننجي المؤمنين» . اهـ البحر المديد

Meaning: “The Name of Allah, by which if He is called upon He answers, and if He is asked He gives, is the supplication of Yunus bin Matta. Someone asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, is it exclusively for Yunus?’ He replied: ‘Rather, it is general for every believer. Have you not heard the word of Allah the Exalted: And thus We save the believers.'”

Therefore, the prayer of Prophet Yunus contains a divine guarantee of salvation and the fulfillment of needs for all of us, not just a prerogative of the Prophet.

(Read also: The Prophet’s Dua to Prevent the Evil Eye: Real Protection from Malevolent Glances)

The Secret Behind It: Is it a Dhikr or a Dua?

You might be slightly confused; the phrase La ilaha illa anta… consists entirely of praising Allah and declaring His Oneness, without a single word explicitly asking for anything. Why, then, is it called a dua (supplication)?

In the book At-Tanwir Syarh Al-Jami’ Ash-Shaghir, Imam Al-San’ani explains the spiritual logic behind this practice:

فإن قيل هذا ذكر لا دعاء قلنا هو ذكر يفتح به الدعاء ثم يدعو بما شاء وهو كما ورد من شغله ذكري عن مسألتي أعطيته أفضل ما أعطي السائلين. اهـ التنوير

Meaning: “If someone asks: ‘This is a dhikr, not a dua?’ We answer: ‘It is a dhikr that opens the way for dua, and then a person may ask for whatever they wish. This is in accordance with the narration: Whoever is preoccupied with remembering Me to the extent that they forget to ask of Me, I shall give them better than what I give to those who ask.'”

This means that the dhikr of Prophet Yunus acts as a “master key to the heavens.” After reciting it with utter sincerity, your subsequent requests will pierce through the veils and be readily answered by Allah.

The Best Times to Recite Prophet Yunus’s Prayer

To maximize its spiritual benefits, it is crucial to know the golden moments to recite the istighfar of Dhun Nun. Based on the guidance of the scholars, here are several critical times:

1. When Afflicted by Severe Hardship (Karb) If your chest feels tight due to the crushing weight of life’s problems, the efficacy of this prayer will be profoundly felt. Imam An-Nawawi, in his renowned book Al-Adzkar, includes a narration from Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas:

سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: ” إني لأعلم كلمة لا يقولها مكروب إلا فرج عنه: كلمة أخي يونس صلى الله عليه وسلم… “

Meaning: “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: ‘I know a word which no distressed person (makrub) utters except that relief is granted to him: it is the word of my brother Yunus…'”

If you wish to discover a complete sequence of supplications to heal a broken heart, you can follow our comprehensive guide: A Collection of Duas to Remove Grief and Life’s Hardships Based on the Sunnah.

2. When Suffering from Illness (Recite 40 Times) For those bedridden with illness, there is a specific recommendation regarding the number of recitations. In the book I’anah at-Talibin, an extraordinary virtue is mentioned:

وورد أيضا: من قال: لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين – أربعين مرة – في مرضه فمات فيه، أعطي أجر شهيد، وإن برئ برئ مغفورا له.

Meaning: “Whoever recites ‘La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minadz-dzalimin’ forty times during his illness, and then dies from it, he will be given the reward of a martyr. And if he recovers, he recovers in a state where his sins are forgiven.”

This is a complete spiritual remedy: inviting physical healing while simultaneously cleansing the soul from the accumulation of sins.

3. During Travel (When Descending Valleys) Did you know that the dhikr of Prophet Yunus is also taught as part of the etiquette of travel (safar)? In the book Minhat al-Bari Syarh Sahih Al-Bukhari, the habit of the Prophet’s companions when descending steep paths is explained:

قوله: (وإذا نزلنا) أي: إلى مكان منخفض [كواد] (سبحنا) أي: استنباطا من تسبيح يونس – عليه السلام – في بطن الحوت؛ لننجو من بطن الأودية كما نجي يونس بتسبيحه من بطن الحوت.

Meaning: “(And when we descended) meaning to a lower place, (we glorified Allah/Tasbih). This is derived from the tasbih of Prophet Yunus in the belly of the whale; so that we may be saved from the belly of the valleys just as Yunus was saved from the belly of the whale by his tasbih.”

The underlying philosophy is profoundly beautiful. When we are at the “bottom” or feeling downcast, we need extra protection from The Most High.

4. During Critical, Life-Threatening Situations History records that the prayer of Prophet Yunus was the primary spiritual anchor for the companions during critical moments. Imam Al-Ghazali, in Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, records the heartbreaking yet heroic story of Uthman bin Affan RA when his house was besieged by rebels:

أن عثمان حين ضرب والدماء تسيل على لحيته جعل يقول {لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين} اللهم إني أستعديك عليهم وأستعينك على جميع أموري…

Meaning: “That when Uthman was struck and blood was flowing down his beard, he continuously recited ‘La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minadz-dzalimin’…”

This proves that the essence of this prayer was deeply ingrained in the hearts of our righteous predecessors as an impenetrable final spiritual shield.

How to Practice It for Daily Needs

You do not need to wait for a massive calamity to strike before reciting this dhikr. Make it a daily habit (wird) using these guidelines:

• Routine Recitation: Aside from the recommendation of 40 times during an illness, you can make it a habit to recite it 100 times every morning or evening. At the very least, consistently recite it during your final prostration (sujud) in prayer.
• Internalize the Meaning: As you utter the words, deeply internalize the sincere confession that Allah is Most Holy, while we are servants laden with flaws.
• Conclude with Your Core Dua: Once your heart feels tranquil and expansive from this dhikr, specifically present your needs to Allah (such as an opening in sustenance, healing, or debt relief).

(Read also: The Virtues of Hauqolah: Benefits and Miracles of the Dhikr La Haula Wala Quwwata Illa Billah)

Conclusion

The prayer of Prophet Yunus in the belly of the whale is not a magical incantation, but rather a profound and honest confession of a servant before their Most Merciful Creator. Through a perfect combination of Tawhid, Tasbih, and Istighfar, this prayer can pierce the boundaries of the heavens and transform a restrictive decree into an ocean of ease.

Let us keep our tongues moist with this prayer. In addition to seeking forgiveness, perfect your spiritual endeavors with a prayer of total surrender, allowing Allah to take charge of solving your problems. Learn the complete text in our closing article: Do Not Rely on Yourself: The Dua of Rahmataka Arju Narrated by Abu Bakrah.