Could the story of Jonah and the whale really have happened?

You did a great study and I loved reading it ..everything is possible when it comes to our creator..science and common sense does create doubt..But our Creator is able to do all things ..that is all the proof I need..hope you are well...and I look forward reading more of those studies..I am working on revelations right now ...if you have anything that might help I would love to read it..thanks Jenny

I read the text of your link. I don't buy any of the explanation or suppositions. For one thing the essential ingredient for human life is air. To be in the belly of a large fish or whale is devoid of it with the constant intake by the creature of sea water. Also the pressure of the creature's dives into the sea would've killed poor Jonah.

The story of Yunus, pbuh (Jonah) is mentioned in the Holy Quran in 3 surahs - 10:98; 21:87~88; and 37:139~148. Yunus bin Matta is the great, great, great grandson of Ishaq, pbuh (Isaac) under the lineage of Ibrahim, pbuh (Abraham).

He once lived in a country called "Ninawa", whose people were idolators. He called upon them to worship Allah (God) instead but they refused to listen. Yunus told them God will punish them for their idolatory sins and then left the country feeiling angry & disappointed.

In his absence Allah sent His signs of impending punishment - thick dark clouds swirling, strong gusts of wind started blowing, coupled with a frightening loud voice heard from the sky and the animals too became very frightened. They all ran to the mountains for safety. The people realised Yunus was telling the truth and began to pray & repent to Allah promising to worship none other than Allah.

Yunus meanwhile, during his wandering, met a group of people by a beach eagerly lighting onto a boat to sea. He was invited to accompany them. Whilst at sea, there was a violent storm. The boat captain told them that one of them had to leave the boat to ease the burden on the boat. They drew lots amongst them as to who had to go & be thrown overboard.

After 3 lots, each time Yunus was the unlucky one. Yunus thought it was perhaps due to his sin for having left his people for their perils without Allah's prior blessing. So, he jumped into sea, but with Allah's blessing he was swallowed by a huge fish (a whale) which, with Allah's guidance, later dumped Yunus on a shore back at his homeland. He survived the ordeal, went back to his people. To his surprise & happiness they were no longer idolators but worshipped Allah instead. All idols had been destroyed in his absence.

Quran 37:139 - 148 - "And lo! Jonah verily was of those sent (to warn) (139) When he fled unto the laden ship, (140) And then drew lots and was of those rejected; (141) And the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy; (142) And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah) (143) He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised; (144) Then We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick; (145) And We caused a tree of gourd to grow above him; (146) And We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or more (147) And they believed, therefor We gave them comfort for a while. (148)".

Nah; no oxygen in the belly of a whale.

One fool tried crawling down a dead whale's throat to prove it.

He died.

Of course it happened.

When God tells you to do something and you love God

and you do not obey .Watch out.

When Daddy says lets go.He means it.