Prophet Yunus (Jonah)
8th century BCE (people of Nineveh; Assyrian period).
Yunus (Jonah), also called Dhan-Nun, was sent to the people of Nineveh, who were idolaters. When they rejected his call, he left in anger, thinking Allah would not call him to account. He boarded a ship; when a storm arose, lots were cast and he was thrown overboard. A great fish swallowed him; in the darkness of its belly he called out: "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed I have been of the wrongdoers." Allah answered him and cast him onto the shore; a gourd vine grew over him. Meanwhile his people repented and believed; Allah removed the punishment and did not destroy them. His story is a reminder that one must not despair of Allah's mercy and that repentance can avert punishment.