What Does “Thinking We Would Not Restrain Him” Mean in the Story of Prophet Yunus?

Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

What is the meaning of Allah’s statement in the story of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him): “Thinking We would not restrain him”?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

The Verse in Context

The full verse in question is:

“And (remember) when the Man of the Whale stormed off (from his city) in a rage, thinking We would not restrain him. Then in the (veils of) darkness he cried out, ‘There is no god (worthy of worship) except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong.’” [Quran, 21:87]

The Identity of “The Man of the Whale”

“The Man of the Whale” refers to Prophet Yunus (Jonah) (peace be upon him). The title is used because he was swallowed by a fish or whale. He was sent by Allah to the people of Nineveh, a town in the land of Mosul.

The Circumstances of His Departure

“Stormed off (from his city) in a rage” means that he left his people out of anger due to their persistent disbelief and refusal to accept his message, despite his long efforts in calling them to the truth. He departed without receiving explicit permission from Allah to leave.

Later, while in the darkness of the night, the sea, and the belly of the fish, Yunus realized that he had wronged himself by leaving without divine authorization and by losing patience with his people.

Interpreting “Thinking We Would Not Restrain Him”

Regarding the phrase, “Thinking We would not restrain him,” the apparent meaning of the verse cannot be taken literally, as believing in the weakness or inability of Allah is an act of disbelief.

It is unanimously agreed that it is impermissible to attribute such a belief to any of the believers, let alone the prophets. Therefore, the verse must be interpreted. Scholars have provided various explanations, including:

• Could Mean “Qaddara”: This means that Prophet Yunus thought Allah would not punish him, derived from the term “qadar” and “taqdir”, similar to the verse, “So the waters met for a fate already set (قُدِرَ).” [Quran, 54:12]. The Arabs sometimes use “qadara” to mean “qaddara” (to decree). [Ibn Jawzi, Zad al-Masir; Razi; Tafsir al-Kabir]
• Rhetorical Interpretation: Some scholars suggested that the phrase could be understood as a rhetorical question: “Did he think that We would not have power over him?”. [Ibn ‘Atiya, al-Muharrar al-Wajiz]
• Whisper from Satan: Others have explained that the “thinking” in this context was not actually held by Yunus; rather, it was a whisper from Satan, which he quickly overcame with firm belief. It is called a “thought” for emphasis, similar to the verse, “And you entertained (conflicting) thoughts about Allah.” [Quran, 33:10], though this interpretation is disputed by Ibn ‘Atiya. [Ibn ‘Atiya, al-Muharrar al-Wajiz]
• Could Mean “Restriction”: Another interpretation is that Prophet Yunus thought Allah would not punish him by restricting his situation, as seen in the verse: “But when He tests them by limiting their provision…” [Quran, 89:16]. Ibn Qutayba explained that “qadar” can mean “restriction,” as in the phrase “so-and-so’s provision was restricted”. [Tabari, Tafsir al-Tabari; Ibn Jawzi, Zad al-Masir; Razi; Tafsir al-Kabir]
• Figurative Speech: It could also be an example of figurative speech, where his situation is compared to someone who thought they would not face consequences for their actions.

Qadi ‘Iyad provides further beneficial discussion on this verse in his book Ikmal al-Mu‘allim bi Fawa’id Muslim.

Importance of Seeking Proper Understanding

In conclusion, many verses in the Quran whose apparent meanings may seem inconsistent with the stature of the prophets. It is commendable that the questioner sought a correct understanding of the verse.

I encourage anyone who finds difficulty understanding a part of the Quran to seek clarification from knowledgeable scholars. Our religion is robust, and for every question or doubt, there is an answer. And Allah knows best.

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa

Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.

He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.

He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.

Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.