Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1897-05-24
THE JONAH OF THE KORAN.
MOslem VersiOn OF the Adventure OF
the ISrnelitish Prophet.

(Jonas) was OF those who were sent
when he fled into the loaded ship, and
they cast lots among themselves, and
he was condemned, and the fish sHyal-
lowed him, for he was worthy of
blame."-Chnpter xxxvii.
The MoSlems have their ancientscrip-
lures, giving history of the world
from Adam down through their great
prophet, Ibraham (Abraham).
According to the Moslem scriptures
Jonas, prophet of the children of
lsreal, was sent to n city of the terri
tory of Moussoul, which embraced
Antioch and several other towns, all
given to idolatry. The people refused
to believe, and Allah threatened a chas-
tisement should they not repent. On
the day appointed Jonas departed, AMI
Allah sent n red cloud filled with fire,
which lowered over the city in the
night. The king and. the people gath
cred together. 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 his anger: "Why do they
not believe this day?" So lie would not
return.
forth out of their city, with their
Guadrupeds and birds. There they
covered themselves with dust, and the
king said: ooh, Lord, though Jonas,
Thy prophet, be gone, we lose not con-
fidence in thee. We believe on thee, AL
lah, and thy prophet" The prayers
and sobs OF the multitude made the
angels in Heaven weep, and Allah par
doped the city.
But Jonas was not there. He had
embarked on passing vessel and was
far out at sea. Allah caused q big fish
to stop the vessel. The crew prayed
and wept and prepared for death. Then
Jonas knew that he had committed Il
sin and he said to the sailors: at is
whom the fish desires; cast me to it,"
When they knew he was Il prophet of
Allah they refused to do it, but they
cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonas.
Then he cast himself into the sea and
was swallowed by the fish. This spe-
cies of fish," says the Koran, "has n
raised back like the roof n house, and
to this dayis held sacred from pursuit"
The Greek word both in Matthew and
the Septuagint is ketos, properly trans
lated whale" but there are only two
or three small species of cetaceans in
the Mediterranean sea. The descrip-
ton in the Koran answers to a porpoise.
After-40 days Jonaswas inspired with
the thought of prayer. Allah sent an
angel to lead the fish ashore at the
point where Jonas had embarked.
Then he was cnst up, as weak as n new
born child. Allah inspired a doe to
l. nm
scorched his body and Allah inspired
gourd to spring up around dry trunk
and put forth leaves, which gave shade
to Jonas. For 40 days was he sucked
by the doe, until he was able TO rise and
pray. ..
At last the gourtf withered and Jonas
was aggrieved. Then Allah reproved
him for not being grieved for the many
thousands of the people he had de-
serted.
Jonas was sent anew to the now re-
Pentant people. He met shepherd who
told him they were seeking him. He
hade the shepherd go and tell them he
was here. "Where shalt thou be?
said the shepherd. "In this mountain"
answered Jonas. "Who will show me
the road to thee?" said the shepherd.
This she goat" answered Jonas. "Who
will bear witness that I have seen
'thee?" said the shepherd. "Thy dog"
answered Jonas. Then the shepherd
departed and Jonas entered the noun
tain.
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, cas- the prophet
commanded" The dog responded dis
rtinctly, saying: "Jonas, son of Natal,
prophet of Allah, was here" Then the
shepherd said to the goat: "Be our
guide" and she led them to Jonas, who
was found deep in prayer. He rose and
went with them to the city and there
remained until his death. Washington
Times,
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