Surah Al-Anbiya (21:87)
وَذَاالنُّونِإِذذَّهَبَمُغَاضِبًافَظَنَّأَنلَّننَّقْدِرَعَلَيْهِفَنَادَىٰفِيالظُّلُمَاتِأَنلَّاإِلَـٰهَإِلَّاأَنتَسُبْحَانَكَإِنِّيكُنتُمِنَالظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٨٧﴾
English Transliteration
Wa Zan-Nooni iz zahaba mughaadiban fazanna an lan naqdira ‘alayhi fanaadaa fiz-zulumaati an laa ilaaha illaa Anta Subhaanaka innee kuntu minaz-zaalimeen.
English Translation (Saheeh International)
And [mention] the Man of the Fish [i.e., Jonah], when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [nutriment or restriction] 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.”
Bengali Translation (বাংলা অনুবাদ)
আর স্মরণ কর যুন-নূন এর কথা, যখন সে রাগান্বিত অবস্থায় চলে গিয়েছিল এবং মনে করেছিল যে, আমি তার উপর ক্ষমতা প্রয়োগ করব না। তারপর সে অন্ধকার থেকে ডেকে বলেছিল, ‘আপনি ছাড়া কোন (সত্য) ইলাহ নেই’। আপনি পবিত্র মহান। নিশ্চয় আমি ছিলাম যালিম’।
In Ruqyah Shari’ah (Quranic healing), Surah Al-Anbiya (21:87)—known as Du’a Yunus—is revered as the Supreme Supplication for Removing Severe Distress, Black Magic, and Spiritual Oppression (Ayat al-Karb wal-Inqadh):
1. Breaking Severe Spiritual Oppression, Blockages, and Black Magic (Sihr)
- Spiritual Principle: Just as Yunus (AS) was trapped in multiple layers of darkness (belly of the fish, sea, night), victims of severe black magic, chronic spiritual possession (Mass), or crushing depression are often trapped in deep psychological and spiritual darkness. This Du’a acts as a spiritual key that shatters these barriers.
- Ruqyah Application: Recited repeatedly—often 100 times or more—during intensive Ruqyah sessions, especially when the patient feels suffocated, heavily blocked, or trapped. It is blown over water or olive oil to lift heavy spiritual oppression.
2. Curing Clinical Depression, Severe Anxiety, and Panic Attacks
- Spiritual Principle: The acknowledgment of human weakness combined with pure praise of Allah (Tasbeeh) re-calibrates the human nervous system and purges despair, transforming internal panic into profound Sakinah (tranquility).
- Ruqyah Application: Prescribed as a daily therapeutic Wird (repetition) for individuals experiencing severe anxiety, panic disorders, or dark emotional states, acting as an instant spiritual anchor.
3. Guarantee of Answered Prayers During Crises
- Spiritual Principle: Backed by the explicit promise of the Prophet (ﷺ), this supplication is a guaranteed lifeline when all worldly doors and remedies seem closed.
- Ruqyah Application: Utilized at the conclusion of every Ruqyah session or during late-night prayers (Tahajjud) to beseech Allah for complete physical, mental, and spiritual healing.
📖 Hadith Reference
Authentic Hadith References
1. The Universal Guarantee of Relief for Every Believer
Narrator: Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqaas (may Allah be pleased with him)
Hadith: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
«دَعْوَةُ ذِي النُّونِ إِذْ دَعَا وَهُوَ فِي بَطْنِ الْحُوتِ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنَّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ، فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَدْعُ بِهَا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ فِي شَيْءٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُ»
"The supplication of Yunus when he called upon [Allah] inside the belly of the fish was: 'There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.' Indeed, no Muslim man ever prays with it for anything whatsoever except that Allah answers his prayer."
Reference: Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3505, Musnad Ahmad 1462 (Authenticated by Al-Albani).
📜 Tafsir / Commentary
Classical mufassireen explain the profound distress, repentance, and divine rescue recorded in this verse:
1. The Du'a of Yunus (AS) in the Triple Darkness
Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Imam Ibn Kathir explains that Zan-Nun refers to Prophet Yunus (Jonah, peace be upon him), who left his disbelieving people in anger without waiting for divine permission. After being swallowed by the whale, he found himself trapped in absolute darkness: the darkness of the night, the darkness of the sea, and the darkness inside the belly of the fish. From this inescapable distress, he made his famous confession and plea: "Laa ilaaha illaa Anta Subhaanaka innee kuntu minaz-zaalimeen." Allah responded by rescuing him, establishing a universal rule for believers in distress.
Tafsir Al-Qurtubi: Imam Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this supplication combines complete Tawheed (acknowledging no deity except Allah), absolute transcendence of Allah (Tasbeeh), and admission of one's shortcomings and wrongdoing (Istighfar). He notes that whenever a believer calls upon Allah with this specific formula, Allah relieves their distress.