Morning journal and courier., 1882-08-07
The Koran.

(Mcnier Williams in the Nineteenth Century
Well informed persons in the present day
scarcely need to be told that these were de-
termined by the varying circumstances and
necessities of his fuctuating career. Per
haps the chief distinctive mark to be noted
in comparing the Moslems Koran with the
Christians Holy Bible is that the Koran is
believed to have no human element at all
Nor is it even held to be a record of what
Mohammed said or did for that is recorded
in the traditions. The Koran was wholly
objective, not subjective, revelation. 1t
was revealed to one man only. 1t did not
pass through many mems minds during suc-
cessive generations for nearly 1000 years
like the Christian revelation. The continu-
SUFFICIENTLY of our sacred scriptures pro-
traeted through so long period, and the
fact of our acknowledging human element
in them, causes the Mussulman to place
them in the same category with his Sunnah,
or tradition. According to his view even our
Gospels are not direct revelation, but only
record of Christ's words and actions COM
piled by his followers and handed down to
others Though admitted to be inspired, the
inspiration is of very different kind from
that of the Koran. It is an imparting of
ideas. not of words. The very words of the
Koran, on the other hand, and indeed the
whole complete book, not mere portion of
it. descended from God in fixed and unal-
terable form on one particular night, called
'the night of power - though happily for
Mohammeds purposes it's descent was ar
rested at the lowest of the seven heavens.
There it remained treasured up, or, to
speak, stored away in reserve, portion after
portion being delivered as successive deolara-
tions of doctrine, law, or State policy became
needed. Then an audible voice communicate
ed each word in low tone to Mohammed,
or, as some say, whispered every sentence
into his ear. This accounts for the constant
repititeon of the word s'say' before each rev.
elatIon A very important factor in the
success of this wonderful book, which, not
withstanding its unequal merits utter want
of system, and the adulteration of its sub
lime ideas by frequent adnlixture of puerlle
and false teaching, is still revered as a direct
emanation from God by about $50, 900, 900 of
human beings, was without doubt this dis
jointed and fragmentary delivery. It was
never in fact either written composed like
any other book. 1t grew like patchwork,
little by little, piece after piece, patch added
to patch. Even the Koran's warmest admir-
ers must admit that it has often the appear
own account of itself is that it descended in
succession of parcels Some of these par
cells were delivered at Mecca. some at Medina,
during period of % years, the angel Ga
briel being the supposed medium Of delivery.
About 80 of the Ia chapters Or more than
two-thirds of the whole, thought to have
been the proportion assignable to the Mecca
period and of these earlier portions, de-
livered at a time when Mohammed really be-
lieyed himself to be stirred by divine impul-
ses, though spoken in plain prose, are full of
poetic fire. They are the utterances of an
enthusiast wrought up by intense con-
seriousness of the truth of his prophetic mes
sage, and often rise to great sublimity.