True repentance saved a nation from torment

It is stated on page 378 of Tafseer Siraat-ul-Jinaan, published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: The nation of Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام used to live in Naynawa, the area of Mosal. They were indulged in unbelief and polytheism. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ sent Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام to them. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام enjoined them to believe (in Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ), but they refused and did not listen to Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام.

By the command of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام informed them that punishment is heading towards them. They discussed with each other that ‘Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام has never said anything false, so if he
عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام stays here tonight, then there is no danger but if he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام does not spend the night here, then this means that we will be punished.’

When night fell, Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام left that place and the signs of torment appeared in the morning. A dark and terrifying cloud appeared in the sky, a lot of smoke covered the entire city. After witnessing this, they realised that now the torment was about to be inflicted upon them. They looked for Sayyiduna Yunus عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام, but found him nowhere. Now they became even more terrified. Therefore, they went towards the jungle along with their women, children and animals. After wearing thick clothing, they repented of their sins and stated that they are Muslims. Wives got separated from their husbands and children from their mothers and all of them became extremely worried and humbly begged Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ saying that they have embraced the religion which was brought to them by Sayyiduna Yunus
عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام.

Therefore, all of them sincerely repented and rid themselves of the sins which they were committing. They returned each other’s possessions, even a single stone that belonged to someone else but by mistake it was used in the foundation of another person was also returned to its real owner after demolishing the foundation. They sincerely made Du’as to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ for their