Evening journal., 1897-04-29
FISH STORIES IN THE KORAN.
Sacred Book OF Mohammedans Hard
er 10 believe Than some others

Sacred Book OF Mohammednns Hard
err 10 Believe Than some Others.
In imitation of other religions the.
Moslems have their ancient Scriptures.
giving history of the world, iron
Adam down through their great
prophet. Ibrahim (Abraham). Prof.
Edwin Johoson, of London. undertakes
to prove, in his "Rise of Christendom,"
that the Hebrew Bible is 100 years
younger than the Moslem chronicle of
Al Tabani, which was redacted about
A. ID. 900, and the New Testament was
composed after A. ID. 1900. According
TO the Moslem Scriptures Joseph. a
prophet of the children of Israel. was
sent to the city Of the territory Of Nous
coul. which embraces Antioch and sew
eral other towns, all given to idolatry.
The people refused to believe, and Allah
threatened a chastisement should they
not repent. On the day appointed Jonas
departed, and Allah sent red cloud
filed with fire, which lowered over the
city in the night. The king and the
people gathered together. The king
said: seek for Jonas, that we may be-
lieve 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 day?" So he would not
return. The king caused all the peo-
pie TO go forth Out OF the city, with
their quadrupeds and birds. There they
covered themselves with dust, and the
king said: "Oh, Lord, though Jonas,
thy prophet. be gone, we lose not conf
dence in Thee. We believe on Thee, AL
lah, and thy prophet" The prayers and
the sobs of the multitude made the an
gels in Heaven weep, and Allah par
doned the city. But Jonas was not
there. He had embarked on passen-
ger vessel and was far out at sea. Allah
caused big fish to stop the vessel. The
crew prayed and wept and prepared for
death. Then Jonas knew that he had
committed sin and he said to the sail
ors: 1t is I whom the fish desires; cnst
me to It," When they knew he was a
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 species Of fish," says the Koran,
"has a raised back like the roof OF a
house, and TO this day he is held sacred
from pursuit" The Greek word both
in Matthew and Septuagint is ketes,
properly translated ''whale," but there
are only two or three small species OF
cetaceans in the Mediterranean sea.
The description in the Koran answers
to 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 embarked. 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 a gourd TO spring up
around dry trunk and put forth leaves
which gave shade 70 Jonas. For 40 days
he was suelSled by the doe until he was
able TO rise and pray.
At last the gourd withered, and iona,
was aggrieved. Then Allah reproved
"t4AA A'A Aot icing hEEAAtN1A Apl tHN
many thousands of the people whom he
had deserted. Jonas was sent anew "a
the now repentant people. He met q
shepherd who told him they were seek
ing him. He bade the shepherd go and
tell them he was here. Where shalt
thou be2" said the shepherd. "In this
mountain" answered Jonas. "Who will
bear witness that 1 have seen thee ?''
said the shepherd. "The dog" an
swered Jonas Then the shepherd de-
parted and Jonas entered tho 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, "as the prophet
commanded" The dog responded dis
tinctly, saying; Jonas, son of Natal,
prophet of Allah, was here" Then the
shepherd said to the dog: BE our
guide" and she led them TO Jonas, who
was found deep in prayer. He rose and
went with them 10 the city, and there
remained until his death Chicago
Chronicle.