Explanation

It is not permissible for anyone to say that Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is better than Yūnus ibn Matta (peace be upon him). Matta was the father, not the mother of Yūnus, who was a noble Prophet. Allah sent him with guidance and light to bring people out from the darkness. Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said this out of modesty, because it is known that he was the best of the children of Adam. He probably said this before knowing that he was the best of all humans. He singled out Yūnus (peace be upon him) because he feared that those who heard his story would discredit him, so he highlighted his merits in order to block such thoughts. His story was narrated by As-Suddi from Ibn Mas‘ūd and others. Allah sent Yūnus to the people of Nineveh in the lands of Mosul. They accused him of lying, so he promised them that a punishment would descend upon them at a certain time and left them in anger. When they saw the consequences of this, they submitted to Allah and believed in Him. So Allah removed the punishment from them. Yūnus set off and boarded a boat. The boat started to sink, so lots were cast and he was taken off the boat and thrown into the water where a whale swallowed him. He called out from within the darknesses: “There is no true deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.” Allah responded to him, and ordered the whale to cast him onto the shore, where He grew a gourd vine over him to shade him.