surah Yunus

The initial verses of the chapter (1–70) presents an argumentative dialogue between Islam and its unbelievers. The rest contains the stories of Noah (known as Nuh in the Islamic tradition), Moses (Musa) and Jonah, all considered prophets in Islam.

The chapter presents the Meccan pagans' objections against the Quran, and responds to them.[1][4] The pagans said that Muhammad was a "manifest sorcerer" and that he fabricated the Quran.[1] They also challenged Muhammad to immediately bring the punishment of God, if his claim was true.[1] They also demanded that Muhammad change the Quran to no longer condemn their practice of idolatry and using intercessors when worshipping God.[1][5]

The chapter's response to these objection is a mix of "argument, threat, promise and reproach".[4] It defends the Quran's divine origin, not a fabrication of Muhammad's, and says that Muhammad could not change it even if he wanted to.[6][1][4] As for the challenge to bring God's punishment, the chapter says that God may defer punishment in this world if he wants to.[4] It also tells of the punishment against unbelievers in the past, such as the people of Noah and Moses.[5] It says that if the pagans waited for the punishment before believing, it would be too late, as was the case with the Pharaoh of Moses.[7] According to the Quran, the Pharaoh only believed in God just before drowning, and that belief was too late and did not benefit him.[7]

Jonah (top-right) in a 16th-century Ottoman Turkish illustration.[8] The surah is named after Jonah (Yunus) and contains the story of his people.

The chapter also mentions the People of Jonah, who at first rejected Jonah's message, but then repented and believed.[3] Therefore, unlike the people of Noah and Moses, they were averted from God's punishment.[3] The mention of Jonah in verse 98 gives the chapter its name.[2] The chapter then instructs Muhammad if he had any doubt about the truth of what was revealed to him, he could ask other People of the Book (i.e. the Jews and the Christians) who would be able to confirm the Quran's account of these people of the past.[9][3]