The Letter Noon (ن): The Fish, Prophet Yunus & The Pen
By Shakeel Muzaffar | Last Updated: January 10, 2026
Noon (ن) has an Abjad value of 50. It represents the fish (nun نون) and opens Surah Al-Qalam (Chapter 68, "The Pen"). Prophet Yunus (Jonah) was called Dhul-Nun (The One of the Fish) after being swallowed by a whale. From three layers of darkness—whale's belly, sea's depths, night—Yunus praised Allah and was saved. Noon symbolizes divine knowledge written by the Pen and salvation through remembrance of Allah.
ن ۚ وَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
Nun. By the Pen and what they write!
When Noon (ن) opens Surah Al-Qalam, it stands alone—mysterious, profound, commanding attention. This is the only chapter in the Quran that begins with a single letter. After it comes the divine oath: "By the Pen and what they write."
In the Abjad system, Noon has the value 50. But its significance goes far deeper than numbers. Noon means "fish" (nun نون) in ancient Semitic languages. It's forever linked to Prophet Yunus (Jonah), who was swallowed by a whale and called Dhul-Nun (ذو النون) - The One of the Fish.
The story of Yunus isn't just ancient history. It's a timeless lesson about patience, repentance, divine mercy, and what happens when we try to escape our purpose. When darkness surrounds you on all sides, when you're trapped in your own mistakes, when hope seems impossible—that's when Noon teaches its deepest truth.
What Is the Arabic Letter Noon (ن)?
Noon is the 14th letter in the traditional Abjad order (giving it the value 50), though it's the 25th letter in the modern Arabic alphabet arrangement. Its sound is the English "N": ن
- Position: 14th letter in Abjad order (value 50), 25th in modern alphabet
- Origin: From Phoenician "nun" meaning fish 𐤍
- Pronunciation: Alveolar nasal "N" sound (tongue to upper gums)
- Abjad Value: 50
- Meaning: Fish (nun), knowledge, sustenance
- Spiritual Symbol: Prophet Yunus, salvation, divine mercy
- Opens Surah: Al-Qalam (Chapter 68, "The Pen")
- Prophet's Title: Dhul-Nun (ذو النون) = The One of the Fish
- Muqatta'at Letter: One of 14 mysterious letters opening Quranic chapters
- The Pen: Symbol of knowledge, learning, recording truth
The ancient name "Nun" meant "fish" in Phoenician and other Semitic languages. Fish represented life, sustenance, abundance—gifts from the unseen depths (mystical source).
🐟 Noon: The Letter of the Fish
Nun (نون) = Fish
From the Phoenician word for fish 𐤍, Noon represents sustenance from the depths, knowledge from the unseen, and the whale that swallowed Prophet Yunus. The curved dot above resembles a fish swimming, or a boat floating on water's surface.
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What Is Noon in Abjad Numerology?
In the Abjad system (also called Hisab al-Jummal in Arabic: حِسَاب ٱلْجُمَّل), Noon has the numerical value 50. This number appears at the intersection of knowledge and mercy.
This symbolizes the Pen that records all knowledge, the fish that provided salvation to Yunus, divine mercy emerging from the darkest depths, and the completion of intellectual understanding (5×10). Fifty represents the full manifestation of divine knowledge (10) magnified five times through the senses and faculties.
Surah Al-Qalam: The Pen That Writes Truth
Surah Al-Qalam (Chapter 68) is named "The Pen." It opens with Noon and continues:
ن ۚ وَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
مَا أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
"Nun. By the Pen and what they write! You are not, by the grace of your Lord, a madman."
This was the second revelation to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) after Surah Al-Alaq ("Read!"). The enemies of Islam were calling him mad for preaching monotheism. Allah swears by the Pen itself—the instrument of knowledge, learning, and truth—to refute their lies.
The Pen (القلم Al-Qalam) is not just any writing instrument. According to hadith, the first thing Allah created was the Pen. Allah commanded it: "Write!" The Pen asked: "What shall I write?" Allah said: "Write the decree and whatever will be throughout eternity" (commentary source).
Who Was Prophet Yunus (Jonah)?
The Mission to Nineveh
Prophet Yunus (يونس) was sent to the people of Nineveh (near modern-day Mosul, Iraq). He preached monotheism, warned them of punishment, but they rejected his message. Growing frustrated and impatient, Yunus left his people before receiving Allah's permission.
He boarded a ship. A storm struck. The sailors decided someone's sin had angered the sea, so they cast lots. The lot fell on Yunus. He was thrown overboard.
فَالْتَقَمَهُ الْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ
"Then the whale swallowed him, while he was blameworthy."
Not just any fish—a whale (حوت hut) swallowed him whole. Allah commanded the whale: "Do not break his bones, do not injure his flesh."
Three Layers of Darkness
Inside the whale's belly, Yunus descended into three layers of darkness:
🌑 The Triple Darkness
From within this triple darkness, trapped, alone, crushed by his mistake, Yunus did what we all must do when darkness surrounds us—he turned to Allah.
The Prayer That Saves From Every Darkness
Yunus cried out with one of the most powerful supplications ever recorded:
لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu min az-zalimin
"There is no god except You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers."
Allah heard his cry. The whale was commanded to release him on the shore. Weak, sick, exposed—but alive. Allah caused a vine to grow over him for shade and nourishment. He recovered. And then—the miracle—Allah sent him back to his people.
When Yunus returned to Nineveh, the entire city believed. All 100,000+ people repented. They are the only nation in history to accept their prophet after first rejecting him, and Allah lifted the punishment from them.
"And We sent him to a hundred thousand or more. And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment for a time."
Why Is Yunus Called Dhul-Nun?
In the Quran, Prophet Yunus is given the special title Dhul-Nun (ذو النون), which literally means "The One of the Fish" or "Possessor of the Fish" (Islamic source).
The Connection: Fish & Pen
Why Does Surah Al-Qalam Begin With Noon?
At first glance, a fish and a pen seem unrelated. But look deeper:
- The Fish (Nun) represents sustenance from the depths, knowledge from the unseen, survival through divine mercy
- The Pen (Qalam) represents recorded knowledge, eternal truth, the decree of all things
- Both symbolize how Allah's knowledge and mercy are deeper than the deepest ocean
When Allah swears "By the Pen and what they write," He's declaring that truth is recorded, knowledge is preserved, and divine decree cannot be erased. Just as Yunus couldn't escape his purpose by diving into the sea, we can't escape the truth written by the Pen of divine destiny.
Noon is one of 14 mysterious letters (Muqatta'at) that open 29 chapters of the Quran. These letters include Alif-Lam-Meem, Ya-Seen, Ha-Meem, Sad, Qaf, and others. Scholars have debated their meanings for 1,400 years. Some say they're divine secrets known only to Allah. Others suggest they represent the Arabic alphabet itself—proving that the Quran's eloquence comes from the same 28 letters everyone uses, yet no one can match it.
Noon is unique: it's the only single letter that opens a Surah by itself. This gives it special emphasis—as if Allah is saying: "Pay attention. This letter, this story, this lesson—it stands alone in importance."
The Significance of Fifty
Why 50? In the Abjad sequence, Noon follows Meem (40). Together they represent:
| Letter | Value | Symbolism | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| م | 40 | Water & Maturity | Muhammad, transformation, completion |
| ن | 50 | Fish & Knowledge | Yunus, sustenance, divine mercy |
The number 50 represents 10 (completion) × 5 (human faculties). Humans have five senses, five daily prayers, five pillars of Islam. Fifty is when knowledge (10) is fully experienced through human consciousness (5).
The fish symbol appears across ancient cultures:
- Arabic Abjad: Noon (ن) = 50 → Fish (nun), Prophet Yunus, sustenance
- Hebrew Gematria: Nun (נ) = 50 → Fish, activity, life force
- Phoenician: 𐤍 = Original "nun" meaning fish
- Early Christianity: Fish (ichthys) = Secret symbol for Jesus Christ
- Ancient Mesopotamia: Fish god Dagon, wisdom from the depths
Across all traditions, the fish represents hidden knowledge, divine providence, sustenance from unseen sources, and salvation through faith.
Common Questions About Noon
In the Abjad numerology system, Noon has a numerical value of 50. It represents the fish (nun نون), connects to Prophet Yunus (Jonah) called Dhul-Nun (The One of the Fish), and opens Surah Al-Qalam (Chapter 68) - The Pen. The number 50 symbolizes divine knowledge written by the Pen and salvation from darkness through remembrance of Allah.
Noon derives from the ancient Semitic word for fish (nun). Prophet Yunus (Jonah) was swallowed by a whale and called Dhul-Nun (The One of the Fish). Surah Al-Qalam (68) begins with Noon and later references the "Companion of the Fish." The letter's curved shape resembles a fish or a boat. Fish represent knowledge, sustenance from hidden depths, and divine providence.
Surah Al-Qalam (Chapter 68, "The Pen") opens with the letter Noon followed by "By the Pen and what they write." It was the second revelation to Prophet Muhammad after Surah Al-Alaq. The Pen symbolizes knowledge, learning, and recording of divine truth. Allah swears by the Pen to defend the Prophet against accusations of madness—the eloquent Quran itself proves his message is divine.
Prophet Yunus was sent to the people of Nineveh (near Mosul, Iraq). When they rejected his message, he left without permission. He boarded a ship, was thrown overboard during a storm, and swallowed by a whale. From three layers of darkness (whale's belly, sea's depths, night), Yunus made the famous supplication: "La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu min az-zalimin" (There is no god but You, glory be to You, I was indeed wrong). Allah saved him, and he returned to Nineveh where the entire city of 100,000+ people believed—the only nation in history to accept their prophet after first rejecting him.
When the whale swallowed Prophet Yunus, he descended into three layers of darkness: (1) The darkness of the whale's stomach, (2) The darkness of the sea's depths, (3) The darkness of night. From within this triple darkness, Yunus called upon Allah and was saved. This represents spiritual blindness, despair, and isolation from which only divine mercy can rescue us—no matter how deep the darkness, Allah's reach is deeper.
Noon is unique among the Muqatta'at (mysterious opening letters)—it's the only single letter that opens a Surah by itself in Surah Al-Qalam (68). Other Muqatta'at appear in combinations like Alif-Lam-Meem, Ha-Meem, Ya-Seen, etc. This gives Noon special emphasis, as if Allah is saying: "Pay attention. This letter, this story, this lesson stands alone in importance." It draws maximum attention to the story of Prophet Yunus and the power of the Pen.
According to hadith, the first thing Allah created was the Pen. Allah commanded it: "Write!" The Pen asked: "What shall I write?" Allah said: "Write the decree and whatever will be throughout eternity." The Pen represents knowledge, learning, recorded truth, and divine decree. When Allah swears "By the Pen and what they write" in Surah Al-Qalam, He elevates knowledge to sacred status—defending the Prophet's message and emphasizing that truth is permanently recorded.
From inside the whale, Yunus made the supplication known as Ayat al-Kareema (The Noble Verse): La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu min az-zalimin (لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ) - "There is no god except You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers." Prophet Muhammad said this supplication works in every distress: "No Muslim prays with it for anything except that Allah will answer him."
Key Takeaways: What You Need to Remember
- Noon (ن) has Abjad value of 50 (fish, knowledge, mercy)
- Noon means "fish" (nun) in ancient Semitic languages
- Opens Surah Al-Qalam (Chapter 68, "The Pen") as a single letter
- Prophet Yunus (Jonah) called Dhul-Nun (The One of the Fish)
- Yunus swallowed by whale after leaving his mission
- Three darknesses: whale's belly, sea's depths, night
- Famous supplication: "La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu min az-zalimin"
- Allah saved Yunus; he returned to Nineveh
- Entire city of 100,000+ people believed (only nation to do so)
- The Pen (Al-Qalam): first creation, records all decrees
- Surah Al-Qalam defends Prophet Muhammad's sanity
- Noon is one of 14 Muqatta'at (mysterious letters)
Final Thoughts
The letter Noon may look simple—just a curved line with a dot above. But within that curve swims the entire story of human struggle, divine mercy, and ultimate salvation.
When Prophet Yunus ran from his purpose, the sea didn't drown him—it held him. When the whale swallowed him, it didn't digest him—it sheltered him. When three layers of darkness surrounded him, he didn't despair—he remembered Allah.
That's the lesson of Noon. No matter how deep you sink, no matter how dark it gets, Allah's mercy is deeper than the deepest ocean. The same mouth that almost destroyed Yunus became the vessel of his salvation. The same darkness that threatened to swallow him became the silence in which he finally heard his own heart.
ن
One letter. One fish. One prophet. One prayer.
And one truth that never changes:
When you call upon Allah from the depths, He answers.
May Allah grant us the faith of Yunus in the darkness, the eloquence of the Pen in speaking truth, and the patience to fulfill our purpose even when we'd rather run. SubhanAllah—glory be to Allah who saves us from ourselves. Only Allah knows best.