And Yûnus was indeed one of the messengers.
Yûnus (peace be upon him) is also called Dhun-Nûn, the man of the fish, and the companion of the fish.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “No one should say that I am better than Yûnus ibn Mattâ.”
His story holds a fault. The Prophet ﷺ made sure no one would look down on him for it.
The early scholars say he was sent to Nineveh, in the land of Mosul. The Qur'an itself names no city.
He called his people, and they refused. The commentators say he left them in anger at them.
And the man of the fish, when he left in anger, and thought We would not constrain him.
The commentators read lan naqdira as “constrain him”. It does not mean that Allah had no power over him.
So be patient with your Lord's decision, and do not be like the companion of the fish, who called out in distress.
These words were addressed to the Prophet ﷺ: be patient with your Lord's decision. Do not leave like Yûnus.
Why was there no town that believed and was helped by its faith, except the people of Yûnus?
When they believed, We lifted from them the punishment of disgrace in this life.
Qatâda said: once their prophet was gone and punishment seemed near, they repented and cried out to Allah.
Only the people of Yûnus are named in this verse: they believed as the punishment drew near, and their faith saved them.
When he fled to the laden ship,
he drew lots, and was among the losers.
“Fled”: abaqa, a word Arabs used for a servant who runs away from his master.
The commentators tell: the ship was in danger, and lots were drawn for who would go overboard. Three times, it was him.
Then the great fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.
Blameworthy, mulîm: he had done what deserved blame. The fault was his, and he would admit it.
The commentators report that Allah ordered the fish not to tear his flesh nor break his bones.
How long did he stay? The commentators differ: a day, three, seven, forty. The Qur'an does not say.
A prophet left his people before the order came.
He ended up in the darkest place there is. And it saved him.
Yûnus left before the order came. Allah held him in the dark, to bring him back.
Tonight, if you want to walk away from something hard, ask Allah for patience before you go.