Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
➊
"I am better than Yunus ibn Matta."
There are two possibilities regarding this:
One is that by this, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself is meant; the second is that the speaker himself is meant.
Other ahadith support the second possibility, as in one hadith the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"I do not say that anyone is superior to Yunus ibn Matta."
(Sahih Muslim, al-Fada'il, Hadith: 6151(2373))

➋
In the wording of a hadith qudsi, Allah Ta'ala has said:
"It does not befit any of My servants to say:
I am better than Yunus ibn Matta."
(Sahih Muslim, al-Fada'il, Hadith: 6159(2376))
In reality, this was the ijtihadi (independent judgment) error of Yunus (alayhis salam), and such is possible from every human being, even from the noble Prophets (alayhimus salam). However, even a small mistake or slip from those who are close to Allah is considered great and worthy of accountability in the sight of Allah Ta'ala; on this basis, they are taken to task. Nevertheless, it is not permissible to use such slips as a basis for character assassination of anyone.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
This is an example of your (the Prophet’s) perfect humility, self-effacement, and noble character; otherwise, Allah has granted you superiority over all the prophets.
(There is no doubt in this.)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The fact is that Prophet Yunus (alayhis salam) displayed impatience and surrendered himself to the sea, and remained for some time in the belly of the fish.
Upon witnessing this state of Prophet Yunus (alayhis salam), no person should claim that he is better than him; if anyone says such a thing, his statement is contrary to reality.
Because he (Yunus alayhis salam) became even closer to Allah Ta’ala, and not the slightest deficiency occurred in his rank.

➋
In the hadith, the word (أَنَا)
may refer to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself, or it may refer to the speaker (i.e., the one making the claim).
If (أَنَا)
refers to the speaker, then the meaning is clear; and if it refers to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), then this is an expression of his humility and self-effacement, because the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is superior to all the Prophets (alayhimus salam).

➌
In any case, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) by this manner of expression has safeguarded the sanctity of Prophet Yunus (alayhis salam) and removed any misunderstanding people may have had about him. When the time comes to mention blessings, then his own excellences will be stated; but for the time being, any disparagement of a Prophet is intolerable. In any case, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has warned the Ummah that, being influenced by the incident of the fish, no one should show disrespect towards the rank of a Prophet.
When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has stated this in such a manner, then how could it ever be permissible or appropriate for anyone else?
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
One meaning of this hadith is that no individual of the Ummah should ever consider himself superior to any prophet; for him, this is absolutely not permissible. Another meaning that is stated is that it is not appropriate for any servant to say that I, i.e., the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), am better than Yunus ibn Matta. However, there is an objection to this: the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is indeed the most virtuous of the prophets, and he himself has also said, "I am the leader of the children of Adam, and I do not say this out of pride." The hadith scholars (muhaddithin) have given the following answers to this objection:
➊ The statement of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was before the knowledge of his superiority was made known.
➋ He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) made this statement as an act of humility and modesty.
➌ In this manner, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) warned the Ummah that, being affected by the incident of the fish, no one should show disrespect towards any prophet.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
That is, [do not say this] based on your own opinion and intellect, because virtue is a hidden matter. It is better to leave this to Allah’s knowledge. However, since it has been explicitly stated in other hadiths that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is the leader of all the prophets, it has become permissible to say that he is superior to them—but with proper etiquette, so that no disrespect is shown to the other prophets.
(Wahidi)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The command of Allah, the Exalted, is:
"Be patient for the command of your Lord, and do not be like the companion of the fish when he called out while he was full of distress." (al-Qalam: 68:48)
Prophet Yunus (alayhis salam) displayed impatience due to the opposition of his people; without waiting for divine revelation, he himself threatened them with punishment and then departed from there without the command of Allah.

➋
Sayyiduna Yunus (alayhis salam) realized his ijtihadi (independent judgment) error immediately after leaving Nineveh. Thus, these events point to a weak aspect of his, which is why the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"All the Prophets (alayhimus salam) are equal in terms of their prophethood. Especially regarding Yunus (alayhis salam), no one should comment in such a manner that it highlights any aspect of deficiency in him."
The above-mentioned ahadith should be studied in the context we have described. In one hadith, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever gives me superiority over Yunus ibn Matta has lied." (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Tafsir, Hadith: 4604)

➌
An ijtihadi error can occur from the noble Prophets (alayhimus salam), but Allah, the Exalted, immediately corrects them and does not allow them to persist in that error, because even a minor slip from those who are close to Allah is considered great and subject to accountability in His sight. On this basis, Allah, the Exalted, holds them accountable.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: The incident of Yunus (alayhis salam) that is mentioned in the Noble Qur’an may cause someone to mistakenly think that his rank and status are diminished. However, no matter how high a person’s status may be, he can never reach the rank of a prophet. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala has said that it is not permissible for any of His servants to give preference to themselves over Yunus (alayhis salam). As for giving preference to one messenger or prophet over another, this is prohibited in the case where it entails disparagement or belittlement, or if preference is given in the essence of prophethood itself. The difference and variation in the ranks and statuses of the prophets is indeed a reality, which cannot be denied.