5629 This was Dhu al Nun, or Jonah, for whom see n. 2744 to
21:87-88. Cf. also
37:139-148 and the notes there. Jonah was asked to preach to the people of Nineveh , a wicked city. He met with hostility and persecution, fled from his enemies, and took a boat. He was caught in a storm and thrown into the sea. He was swallowed by a fish or whale, but he repented in his living prison, and was forgiven. But the people of Nineveh were also forgiven, for they, too, repented. Here is a double allegory of Allah's mercy and forgiveness, and a command to patience, and complete and joyful submission to the Will of Allah.