The Prayer of Prophet Jonah and How to Practice It, Read 1,000 Times for Repentance

Dream – One of the most well-known stories of Prophet Jonah is when the prophet was swallowed by a whale. This story contains lessons for Muslims about Allah's compassion for His servants when they are in danger.

While inside the whale's belly for days, Prophet Jonah was almost overwhelmed by despair. However, in the midst of those feelings, Prophet Jonah never ceased to pray to Allah for His protection.

The prayer of Prophet Jonah while inside the whale's belly can still be found in the Quran. Muslims can also practice this prayer in certain conditions.

Here is the recitation of Prophet Jonah's prayer while inside the whale's belly, along with how to practice it!

Getting to Know the Story of Prophet Jonah

Like other messengers of Allah, Prophet Jonah conveyed the teachings of Allah to his people in the city of Nineveh, which is now located in Iraq. Prophet Jonah invited his people to believe in Allah SWT as the Creator of the Universe. Allah is the one who deserves to be worshiped, not the idols they had been worshiping.

Prophet Jonah's invitation was met with strong rejection from his people. Feeling almost hopeless, Prophet Jonah then traveled and boarded a ship that was crossing the sea. He joined the ship until an unexpected event happened to him.

Yes, Prophet Jonah was thrown into the sea because the ship was on the verge of sinking. When his body sank in the vast ocean, a very large whale swallowed Prophet Jonah.

40 Days Inside the Belly of the Whale

Prophet Jonah stayed inside the whale's belly for 40 days. Allah protected Prophet Jonah's body from being destroyed by the whale's digestive enzymes.

While inside the whale's belly, Prophet Jonah always remembered and prayed to Allah. After 40 days, Allah commanded the whale to vomit Prophet Jonah onto a dry and barren land.

The lesson he learned while inside the whale's belly was that all creatures in the ocean constantly glorify Allah SWT. Even the countless fish eggs also glorify Him.

Prophet Jonah was amazed by this phenomenon. Then he repented sincerely to Allah SWT, so Allah brought him out of the whale's belly.

The Prayer of Prophet Jonah Inside the Belly of the Whale

The prayer of Prophet Jonah inside the whale's belly is believed to be a supplication to seek Allah's help in removing us from danger and difficulties. This prayer of Prophet Jonah has been immortalized in the Quran, Surah Al-Anbiya verse 87. Here is the wording of Prophet Jonah's prayer while inside the whale's belly:

  لَّآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّآ اَنْتَ سُبْحٰنَكَ اِنِّيْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظّٰلِمِيْنَۚ

Lailaha illa Anta subhanaka inni kuntu minadh dhalimin.

Meaning: "There is no deity except You. Exalted are You; indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." (Quran 21:87)

How to Practice the Prayer of Prophet Jonah

As Muslims, it is fitting for us to emulate the positive aspects of the past prophets. In the midst of difficulties, Prophet Jonah increased his remembrance and prayer and repented to Allah SWT. Even when his life was threatened by the whale's digestive enzymes, Allah still protected him as a manifestation of His love and mercy.

The prayer of Prophet Jonah inside the whale's belly has the virtue of being a prayer for repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah SWT. In addition, this prayer of Prophet Jonah can be practiced by Dream Friends when facing difficulties to seek Allah's help.

The hadith narrates that Sa'ad bin Abi Waqash once said, the Prophet Muhammad SAW mentioned the virtue of Prophet Jonah's prayer when recited 40 times.

"Whoever prays with it (the prayer of Prophet Jonah) for a sick person 40 times, then if he dies, he dies as a martyr. If he recovers, he recovers with his sins forgiven." (Narrated by Imam Hakim)

The way to practice the prayer of Prophet Jonah according to the scholars is to recite this prayer 40 times after the Fajr prayer. It can also be recited 1,000 times to seek forgiveness for all sins.

That is the recitation of Prophet Jonah's prayer and how to practice it, which can be a means for someone to die as a martyr. This prayer is also good to be recited as an act of repentance to seek forgiveness from the Creator.