The virtue of Nabi Yunus (‘alayhis salam)

Question

I am looking for the text of the Hadith you have answered regarding Nabi Yunus (‘alayhis salam) here.

Answer

This narration is recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim with slight variations in the wording on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah and Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhum).

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “No one should say/It is inappropriate for anyone to say that I am better than Yunus ibn Matta.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3412-3413-3415-3416 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2376-2377)

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) explains that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) either said this before he was informed that he is the greatest of Allah’s creation or he said it out of humility, despite being informed that he is the best of Allah’s creation. He further states that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) could have specifically mentioned Yunus (‘alayhis salam) due to the possibility of someone regarding Yunus (‘alayhis salam) as inferior after hearing about his incident and condition, therefore Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) emphasized his virtue.

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 3412-3416, vol. 6 pg. 452)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar