25 May 2014 Prophet Yunus and Dimensions of Dhikr

25 May 2014

Prophet Yunus and Dimensions of Dhikr

Story of Prophet Yunus/Jonah

The story of Prophet Yunus is mentioned in Surat As-Saaffaat, Surah Al Anbiya and Surah Yunus

Prophet Jonah (Yunus) also known as Dhan-Nun. Allah said: Was there any town community that believed after seeing the punishment, and its Faith at that moment, saved it from the punishment? (the answer is none)--except the people of Jonah; when they believed, We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the present world, and permitted them to enjoy for a while. (TMQ 10:98)

Yunus preached to his people and they did not listen so he decided to leave to preach elsewhere and he went off in anger. The people saw the impending punishment and turned back to Allah. Meanwhile, Yunus was on a boat when they a storm hit and he jumped overboard after casting lots.

Allah commanded a whale / big fish to swallow Yunus and take him to the bottom of the ocean where he finally made du’a to Allah – somewhere where no other human had done in the darkness of the belly of the whale, in depth of the ocean in the nightime. This is the Du’a of Distress: None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You, Truly, I have been of the wrong doers." (TMQ 21:87)

The creation of Allah and angels heard this du’a as our dhikr is like pillars of light that the angels recognise. The Quran says: “Had he not been of them who glorify Allah, He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.” The whale was then commanded to eject Yunus onto an island. His body was inflamed because of the acids inside the whale's stomach and he was exposed to the sun and wind but Allah commanded a tree to protect him. When recovered he went back to his town – who had accepted Islam.

Main Topic: Some of the Ghaib (Unseen dimensions)

Following on from the pillars of light that the angels see when we do dhikr we talked about the other dimensions of existence that we cannot comprehend.
- the spinning and movement of the planet / solar system / Galaxy / Cosmos
- radiowaves and subatomic particles penetrating through us
- screaming of the soul in the grave
- visions of heaven or hell in the grave
- creation constantly doing dhikr of Allah
- the existence of Jinn / Angels
- giving charity to earn more from Allah
- Elasticity of Time for Allah (visions of punishment in hell)
- Isra and al-Mirage
These are just some of the things we picked up upon to highlight the limitations of our senses and dimensions –so reinforcing the important of dhikr