Islamic Stories and Lessons for Kids

The Call of Yunus to His People

Allah sent His prophet Yunus to his people, who were idol worshipers. He forbade them from worshiping idols and called them to the Oneness of Allah. Yunus exerted great effort in delivering the message of his Lord, but they responded with rejection, hostility, and denial. When Yunus sensed their disbelief, he warned them of Allah’s wrath and anger. He threatened them with the coming of Allah’s punishment after three days if they did not believe. Then, he left his people, angry, thinking that he had fulfilled his duty in delivering the message. He set out toward the sea.

It appears from the texts related to the story of Yunus that Allah did not command him to leave, as Allah described him as a runaway slave. Allah says in the Quran:

“When he ran away to the laden ship” (Surah As-Saffat, 37:140).
(إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى الْفُلْكِ الْمَشْحُونِ)

Yunus should have submitted to Allah’s command. It is not permissible for a prophet to leave his town or migrate without Allah’s permission. This is why Allah forbade His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) from being like the companion of the whale (Yunus) in his hastiness and lack of patience. Allah says:

“So be patient with the decree of your Lord, and do not be like the Companion of the Fish” (Surah Al-Qalam, 68:48).
(فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوتِ)

The Repentance of Yunus’s People

When Yunus’s people saw the signs of the impending punishment, they realized it was coming to them. They repented to Allah, regretting their denial of their messenger. They separated every animal from its young, then went out praying, pleading, and supplicating to Allah. By His power and mercy, Allah removed the punishment that had encompassed them. Allah informed us that the belief of Yunus’s people benefited them after the punishment was decreed, and He lifted it from them. Allah says:

“Then has there not been a single city that believed so its faith benefited it except the people of Yunus? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in the worldly life and gave them enjoyment for a time” (Surah Yunus, 10:98).
(فَلَولا كانَت قَريَةٌ آمَنَت فَنَفَعَها إيمانُها إِلّا قَومَ يونُسَ لَمّا آمَنوا كَشَفنا عَنهُم عَذابَ الخِزيِ فِي الحَياةِ الدُّنيا وَمَتَّعناهُم إِلى حينٍ)

Yunus in the Belly of the Whale

When Yunus left his people in anger due to their rejection of his call, he walked until he boarded a ship at sea. The ship was tossed by the waves, nearly causing it to sink. The passengers realized that one of them had to be thrown overboard to save the rest. They decided to draw lots, and the lot fell on Yunus.

Although they knew who he was and were reluctant to throw him into the water, they drew lots again, and once more, the lot fell on Yunus. After drawing lots a third time and the lot falling on Yunus yet again, they found no choice but to cast him into the sea. Allah sent a whale to swallow him, and it carried him through all the seas. Allah commanded the whale not to harm Yunus by eating his flesh or breaking his bones. Yunus was surrounded by three layers of darkness: the darkness of the sea, the darkness of the whale, and the darkness of the night. He remained in the belly of the whale for a period known only to Allah.

Allah’s Response to Yunus’s Supplication

While in the belly of the whale, Prophet Yunus heard the pebbles and the sea creatures glorifying Allah. He realized his mistake and turned to Allah in praise. He remembered Allah, glorified Him, and earnestly supplicated for the removal of his distress. Allah inspired him with the words that would dispel the darkness and remove the distress. Yunus called upon his Lord, saying:

“But he cried through the darkness, ‘There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.’ So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:87-88).
(وَذَا النُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَى فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَن لَّا إِلَـهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ * فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ وَكَذَلِكَ نُنجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ)

Allah caused a tree of gourd to grow over him for shade and food. Scholars have mentioned that the wisdom behind this was that the gourd tree has many benefits; it strengthens the body, and its fruit can be eaten in various forms, whether raw, cooked, with its peel, or with its seeds. After Yunus regained his health, Allah commanded him to return to his people, whom he had left behind. He found them believers in Allah, eagerly awaiting his return to follow him. He stayed with them, teaching and guiding them.

Building the Kaaba

The Kaaba was damaged by a massive flood that cracked its walls and destroyed its structure. It was also looted by thieves. The Quraysh wanted to rebuild the Kaaba to restore its honor and maintain their status among the Arabs. They agreed to use only lawful and pure earnings for this purpose. This was five years before the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received his first revelation.

The Quraysh tribes started rebuilding the Kaaba, with each tribe responsible for a specific section. The construction continued until they reached the stage of placing the Black Stone.

Placing the Black Stone

When the construction reached the stage of placing the Black Stone, a major dispute arose among the Quraysh tribes. Each tribe wanted the honor of placing the Black Stone in its position. The disagreement almost led to bloodshed and continued for about four days. They finally reached a solution that would satisfy everyone.

The solution was to appoint the first person who would enter the area as their judge. The first person to enter was the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). When they saw him, they were delighted and said, “The trustworthy one has arrived.” They agreed to let him decide.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) listened to their dispute and asked them to bring a cloth. He placed the Black Stone on the cloth and asked each tribe to hold a corner of the cloth. He then instructed them to lift the cloth together until they reached the spot where the Black Stone was to be placed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then placed the Black Stone in its position with his own hands. This resolved the conflict, and everyone was satisfied with his judgment.

Wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

The story of the Black Stone demonstrates the wisdom and intelligence of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in resolving disputes. His solution prevented bloodshed among the Quraysh tribes and allowed him to have the honor of placing the Black Stone himself, with everyone’s approval.

What is the Black Stone?

The Black Stone is a small rock situated in one of the corners of the Kaaba. Allah (SWT) sent it down from heaven through the angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) to be the most significant and honored part of the Kaaba. According to a hadith narrated by Anas, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The Black Stone is from Paradise.” (الحَجَرُ الأَسْوَدُ مِنَ الجَنَّةِ)

Hadiths about the Virtues of the Black Stone and Kissing It

Several hadiths mention the virtues of the Black Stone:

• “Touching the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner erases sins.” (إنَّ مسحَ الحجرِ الأسودِ، والركن اليمانيِّ، يَحُطَّانِ الخطايا حطًّا)
• “When the Prophet (peace be upon him) circumambulated the Kaaba, he touched the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner in every round.” (كانَ إذا طافَ بالبيتِ استلمَ الحَجَرَ والركن في كلِّ طواف)
• “Umar came to the Black Stone and kissed it. He said, ‘I know you are just a stone and can neither harm nor benefit. Had I not seen the Prophet (peace be upon him) kissing you, I would not have kissed you.'” (أنَّهُ جَاءَ إلى الحَجَرِ الأسْوَدِ فَقَبَّلَهُ، فَقالَ: إنِّي أعْلَمُ أنَّكَ حَجَرٌ، لا تَضُرُّ ولَا تَنْفَعُ، ولَوْلَا أنِّي رَأَيْتُ النبيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ يُقَبِّلُكَ ما قَبَّلْتُكَ)

Summary

This story highlights the wisdom and leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in resolving a significant conflict among the Quraysh tribes during the reconstruction of the Kaaba. The Prophet’s fair and clever solution prevented bloodshed and ensured that the Black Stone was placed with unanimous agreement. The Black Stone holds immense significance in Islam, being a part of Paradise and a symbol of divine connection. Various hadiths emphasize the virtues of touching and kissing the Black Stone during the pilgrimage.