فَلَوْلَا كَانَتْ قَرْيَةٌ ءَامَنَتْ فَنَفَعَهَآ إِيمَـٰنُهَآ إِلَّا قَوْمَ يُونُسَ لَمَّآ ءَامَنُوا۟ كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْخِزْىِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَتَّعْنَـٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ 98
Translations
Then has there not been a [single] city that believed so its faith benefited it except the people of Jonah? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in worldly life and gave them enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time.
Transliteration
Falawla kanat qaryatun aamanat fanafa'aha imanuhaa illa qawma Yunus lamma aamanoo kashafna anhum adhaba al-khizyi fil-hayati ad-dunya wa matta'nahum ila heen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah highlights the unique case of the people of Jonah (Yunus), who were the only nation to collectively believe after receiving the warning of punishment, thereby causing Allah to remove the torment from them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that while typically a nation's belief does not benefit them once the punishment approaches (as was the case with other nations like Pharaoh's people), Allah made an exception for Yunus's people, postponing their punishment and granting them respite in worldly life. The ayah emphasizes Allah's mercy and the power of sincere collective repentance, while also illustrating the consequence of delayed belief—they were spared the disgrace of punishment but still received a fixed term of life rather than permanent abode.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Yunus (a Meccan chapter) and comes within the context of discussing various prophets and their nations' responses to divine messages. It specifically addresses the story of Prophet Yunus and his people of Nineveh, serving as a consolation and example to the Meccan believers that genuine repentance and faith can avert punishment, contrasting with nations who rejected their prophets and faced destruction.
Related Hadiths
The story of the people of Yunus is mentioned in Sunan Ibn Majah and other hadith collections, emphasizing that they were the only nation among the nations of the prophets to believe collectively before experiencing the punishment. A thematically related hadith from Sahih Muslim discusses how sincere repentance and turning to Allah can avert divine punishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that sincere collective repentance and faith, even when delayed, can invoke Allah's mercy and avert severe punishment; however, it should inspire us not to delay our return to Allah, as delaying belief means missing the full blessings and rewards of earlier obedience. The example of Yunus's people demonstrates that transformation is possible when a community unites in faith, offering hope to believers while reminding us of the importance of timely response to divine guidance.