Complete guide to Tasbeeh Yunus (Ayat-e-Kareema): Arabic text, English translation, the Prophet Yunus (AS) whale story, Hadith virtues (Tirmidhi 3505), and 100x daily counting guide.
✦The Origin of Tasbeeh Yunus: The Three Darknesses
In Islamic tradition, Tasbeeh Yunus (also reverently known across the Muslim world as Ayat-e-Kareema or Ayat Karima) is one of the most powerful and tested supplications for breaking through insurmountable hardship, chronic grief, and overwhelming difficulty.
Prophet Yunus (Jonah, peace be upon him) found himself trapped in the ultimate state of desolation:
- 1The darkness of the deep ocean
- 2The darkness of the belly of the great whale
- 3The darkness of pitch-black night
Cut off from all human aid, technology, and worldly resources, he called out from the depths with the words recorded in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:87):
"La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu minaz-zalimeen"
Immediately upon hearing this sincere confession, Allah Almighty commanded the whale to swim to the surface and gently cast Yunus onto the shore unharmed.
✦The Miraculous Hadith Promise (Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3505)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not leave this supplication solely as historical narrative. He explicitly gave it to the Ummah as a universal key to unlock divine relief:
“Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: *"The supplication of Dhun-Nun (Prophet Yunus) when he pleaded from the belly of the whale was: La ilaha illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minaz-Zalimeen*. Indeed, no Muslim ever supplicates with it for any matter whatsoever except that Allah answers him.”
Whether you are suffering from acute anxiety, severe medical illness, financial debt, family grief, or impending legal troubles, reciting this prayer activates the divine promise of deliverance.
✦The Three Spiritual Pillars of Ayat-e-Kareema
Why does this single verse hold such immense power? Scholars of Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) explain that it harmoniously unites the three supreme stations of faith:
Pure Tawheed (La ilaha illa Anta)
"There is no deity except You" — You divest your heart of reliance on bosses, doctors, money, or worldly powers. You declare that no force in the universe can harm or help you except Allah.
Absolute Tasbeeh (Subhanaka)
"Exalted are You (Glory be to You)" — You affirm that Allah is free from cruelty, injustice, or flaw. Whatever difficulty you are currently enduring is not an act of divine unfairness, but part of a higher wisdom that is purifying your soul.
Sincere Tawbah & Humility (Inni kuntu minaz-zalimeen)
"Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers" — Instead of blaming others or complaining about destiny, you humbly take accountability for your shortcomings. Allah loves the servant who sheds pride and acknowledges their vulnerability before His throne.
✦Recommended Counting Cycles for Tasbeeh Yunus
| Target Count | Recommended Time | Spiritual Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Times Daily | Morning after Fajr or Night before sleep | Daily heart purification & shield against depression |
| 313 Times | Tahajjud or after Fard Salah | Seeking breakthroughs in court cases, debts, or exams |
| 1,250 Times | Over a weekend or single sitting | Intense personal repentance and relief from sudden calamity |
| 125,000 (Khatam) | Shared collectively with family | Traditional collective supplication for critically ill loved ones |
✦How to Count Tasbeeh Yunus on Tasbeeh.pro
- 1Make Sincere Wudu: While Dhikr is permissible without ritual purity, sitting facing the Qiblah with fresh Wudu multiplies your spiritual focus (Khushoo).
- 2Open the Digital Counter: Navigate to our free, ad-free Online Tasbeeh Counter on your phone or laptop.
- 3Set Your Target Count: Select 100 or enter a custom target like 313.
- 4Recite with Presence of Heart: Tap the screen or press the Spacebar key on your computer. Reflect deeply on the meaning of each phrase: Tawheed → Tasbeeh → Tawbah.
- 5Seal with Sincere Dua: Conclude by sending blessings on the Prophet (Durood Sharif) and asking Allah for relief from your specific hardship.
Explore the complete verse-by-verse breakdown on our Dua Yunus Page or read our guide on what to read on tasbeeh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tasbeeh Yunus in Arabic and English?
Arabic: لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ. Transliteration: 'La ilaha illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minaz-Zalimeen'. English: 'There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers' (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:87).
Why is Ayat-e-Kareema so powerful for relieving distress?
Ayat-e-Kareema combines the three most beloved attitudes of the believer before Allah: Pure Tawheed (no god but Allah), Pure Tasbeeh (declaring Allah free of all injustice or flaw), and Pure Tawbah (honest confession of personal weakness). When uttered with humility, it removes divine wrath and unlocks instant relief.
What is the Hadith promise for reciting Dua Yunus?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explicitly declared in Jami' at-Tirmidhi (3505): 'The prayer of Dhun-Nun (Yunus) which he said while he was in the belly of the whale was: La ilaha illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minaz-Zalimeen. Indeed, no Muslim man ever supplicates with it for anything except that Allah responds to him.'
How many times should you recite Tasbeeh Yunus on a counter?
A common Sunnah practice is reciting 100 times daily as part of your morning or evening Adhkar. For urgent crises, scholars recommend repeating it in sets of 313, 1,250, or a collective community Khatam of 125,000 recitations while making earnest Dua.
Can I count Tasbeeh Yunus on Tasbeeh.pro?
Yes! You can use our free, ad-free online Tasbeeh counter to set your target to 100 or 1,000 counts with haptic vibration and auto-save memory on mobile or desktop.
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