Historical Statements of the Koran [pp. 195-230]

Historical Statements of the Koran.
delivered him from his'distress.* And it was said to him,
strike with thy foot. This is for a cold bath and a drinking.
place. And we restored to him his family and as many more
with them, through our mercy, and for an admonition unto
those who are endued with understanding. [And we said]
take in thy hand a handful [Sale adds, of rods] and therewith
strike [Sale adds, thy wife.] And break not thine oath.
Verily we found him a patient person; how excellent a servant was he, for he was one who frequently turned himself
to God."t
Jonah is, in the Koran, called by two names, Yunas and
Dhtl'nun. This last denotes about the same that Fish-man,
or He of the fish would in English. His story is a follows:
"Jonah was one of those sent by us. He departed in a rage,
and thought that we could not exercise our Dower over him.
When he fled into the loaded ship; and they cast lots; and
he was condemned; and the fish swallowed him, for he was
culpable. And if he had not been one of those who praised
God, verily he had remained in its belly unto the day of
resurrection. And he cried aloud in darkness. There is no
God besides thee! Praise be to thee! I am one of the
wicked. And we answered him and delivered him from his
distress. And we cast him on the naked shore; and he was
sick; and we caused a gourd plant to grow up over him; and
we sent him to a hundred thousand persons or more, and they
believed. Wherefore we prolonged their lives for a season."t
The account of John the Baptist in the Koran, approaches
very nearly to the truth. We are not told who Zacharias
was, but are informed that he prayed for a son because he was
afraid of his heirs at law. An answer was brought by angels to his chamber, assuring him that he should have a son,
and should call his name Yahya (John), a name never borne,
as he was told, by any one before. Zacharias doubted and
desired a sign. He was, therefore, informed, that he should
not speak for three days except by gesture. He was also told
that his son should be a holy man, and should bear witness to
the WORD, which the Moslems properly apply to Christ, referring the name, however, to his miraculous conception, produced by the mere command or word of God. Nothing more
* xxi. 82, 83.
xxi. 87. xxxvii. 138-146.
t xxxviii. 43-45.
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