The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1897-04-29
JONAH OF THE KORAN.
The Moslem Version of the Famous Old
Testament Narrative.

Testament Narrative.
The Koran tells us that "Yurus
Jonas was of those who were sent
when he fed into the loaded ship,
and they cast lots among them
selves. and he was condemned, and
the fish swallowed him, for he was
worthy of blame. Chapter xxxvii
The Moslems have their ancient
Scriptures, giving a history of the
/ world from Adam down through
their great prophet Ibrahim (Abra-
ham). Professor Edwin johnson of
London undertakes to prove in his
Rise of Christendom," 1892, that
the Hebrew Bible is 100 years youn-
ger than the Moslem chronicle of AL
Tabani, which was redacted about
A. D. 900, and that the New Tesla
ment was composed after A. d. 1900.
According to the Moslem Scrip
lures Jonas, prophet of the chill
dren of Israel, was sent to a city of
the territory of Moussoul, which
embraced Antioch and several other
towns, all given to idolatry. The
people refused to believe, and Allah
threatened a chastisement should
they not repent. On the day APP
pointed Jonas departed, and Allah
sent a red cloud filled with fire,
which lowered over the city in the
night. The king and the people
gathered together and the king said,
Seek for Jonas that we may believe
Allah, for what he has told us is the
truth"
When Jonas heard that they
sought him, he said in anger, "Why
do they not believe this dayG" So
he would not return.
The king caused all the people to
go forth out of the city, with their
quadrupeds and birds. There they
covered themselves with dust, and
| the king said: 90 Lord, though
Jonas, thy prophet be gone, we
lose not confidence in thee. We be-
lieve on thee, Allah, and thy proph-
ct" The prayers and sobs of the
multitude made the angels in heav-
en- weep, and Allah pardoned the
city.
| But Jonas was not there. He had
embarked on a passing vessel and
was far out at sea. Allah caused a
big fish to stopthe vessel. The crew
prayed and wept and prepared for
death. Then Jonas knew that he
had committed sin, and he said to
the sailors: ''It is I whom the fish
desires. Cast me to it. When they
knew he was prophet of Allah,
they refused to do 1T, but they cast
lots, and the lot fell on Jonas. Then
he cast himself into the sea and was
swallowed by the fish. "This species
of fish, says the Koran, has a
raised back like the roof of house
and to this day is held sacred from
pursuit. " The Greek word both in
Matthew and the Septuagint is ke-
tos, properly translated whale"
but there are only two or three
small species tof cetaceans in the
! Mediterranean sea. The description
In the Koran answers to a porpoise.
After 40 days Jonas was inspired
with the thought of prayer. Allah
sent ,an angel to lead the fish ashore
at the place where Jonas had en-
barked. Then he was cast up, as
weak as a newborn child. Allah
inspired doe to come and give him
milk. The.sun scorched his body,
and Allah inspired gourd to spring
up around "a dry trunk and put
forth leaves, which gave shade to
Jonas. For so days was he sucked
by the doe until he was able to rise
and pray.
| At last the gourd withered, and
Jonas was iaggrieved. Then Allah
reprOved him for not being grieved
for the many thousands of people
he had deserted.
Jonas was sent anew to the now
repentant people. He met a shep-
herd, who told him they were seek
ing him. He babe the shepherd go
and tell them he was here. "Where
shalt thou bef' said the shepherd.
In this mountain" answered Jo-
mas. N'Who will show me the road
to thee 2" said the shepherd. "This
she goat, answered Jonas. "WhO
will bear witness that 1 have seen
theea" said the shepherd. "Thy
dog, answered Jonas. Then the
shepherd departed, and Jonas enter
ed the mountain.
The shepherd went and told the
king and people, and they came
forth to find Jonas. Bear witness
for me, said the shepherd to his
dog; las the prophet commanded.
The dog responded distinctly, say