Prophet Yunus got swallowed by a fish, was this being punished by Allah?
According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Yunus (Jonah in English) was swallowed by a big fish as a test from Allah (God) and not as a punishment.
Prophet Yunus was sent to the people of Nineveh to call them to repent and turn towards Allah. However, the people of Nineveh did not listen to his message, and he became frustrated and left the city without Allah's permission. As a result, Allah caused a great storm to occur, and Prophet Yunus was thrown into the sea and swallowed by a big fish.
Inside the belly of the fish, Prophet Yunus realized his mistake and repented. Allah then caused the fish to bring him back to the shore safely. This incident served as a lesson for Prophet Yunus and a reminder to all believers that they must obey Allah's commands and be patient and steadfast in their faith.
Therefore, the incident of Prophet Yunus being swallowed by a fish was not a punishment but rather a test and a means of guidance for both the Prophet and his followers.
What kind of fish was it?
The Qur'an does not mention the specific type of fish that swallowed Prophet Yunus (Jonah), nor does it provide any specific details about the fish. Islamic scholars have offered different opinions and interpretations regarding the nature of the fish, but there is no consensus on the matter.
Some scholars believe that the fish was a whale, while others suggest that it could have been a great white shark or a giant sea creature. However, the exact identity of the fish remains unknown, and ultimately, it is not the most important aspect of the story.
Instead, the focus of the story is on the message of repentance and submission to Allah, which is the central theme of Prophet Yunus's prophethood and the lessons that can be learned from his experience.
The verses tell this story
The story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah) and the fish is mentioned in several verses of the Quran, including:
37:139
وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ١٣٩
And lo! Jonah verily was of those sent (to warn)
37:140
إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ ١٤٠
When he fled unto the laden ship,
37:141
فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُدْحَضِينَ ١٤١
And then drew lots and was of those rejected;
37:142
فَٱلْتَقَمَهُ ٱلْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌۭ ١٤٢
And the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy;
37:143
فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ ١٤٣
And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah)
37:144
لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِهِۦٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ ١٤٤
He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised;
37:145
۞ فَنَبَذْنَـٰهُ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌۭ ١٤٥
Then We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick;
37:146
وَأَنۢبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةًۭ مِّن يَقْطِينٍۢ ١٤٦
And We caused a tree of gourd to grow above him;
37:147
وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِا۟ئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ ١٤٧
And We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or more
37:148
فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعْنَـٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍۢ ١٤٨
And they believed, therefor We gave them comfort for a while.
In another verse, Allah says:
وَذَا ٱلنُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَـٰضِبًۭا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ أَن لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ٨٧
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُـۨجِى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٨٨
"And [mention] the man of the fish [i.e., Jonah], when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers." (Quran 21:87-88)
These verses emphasize the importance of repentance and submission to Allah, and the consequences of disobeying His commands. They also illustrate Allah's mercy and forgiveness towards those who turn towards Him in repentance, as demonstrated in the story of Prophet Yunus.