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

Historical Statements of the Koran.
rative then proceeds abruptly, "It was said to him, enter
into paradise," leaving us to infer that he was stoned, which
inference is introduced by Sale into the text. Here, it would
seem, we are presented with the death of Stephen and that of
the penitent thief in a compound state. We are informed
moreover, that the city was destroyed. *
The next passage that we shall advert to, is the famous one
with which the zealous Moslem stops the mouth of Christian
cavillers, and which, in his opinion, is abundantly sufficient
to decide the controversy, wholly and forever. It is as follows, "Jesus, the son of Mary, said, oh, children of Israel,
verily, I am the apostle of God sent to you, confirming the
Law that was before me, and bringing good tidings of an
apostle who shall come after me, named Ahmed."t All that
need be said, in explanation, is, that.dIhmed and Mohammed
are regular derivatives from one root, and are nearly synonymous, the latter meaning Praised, and the former Praise-worthy, or in the superlative, Most Laudable. Whether the
pseudoapostle was actually known, in common life by both
names, is of little moment. To an Arab, the very sound
would be sufficient to identify them, even if tradition had not
fixed the application far beyond the reach of oversight or error. It admits of doubt, whether this false citation was a
sheer invention of Mohammed's own, or whether it was
palmed upon him by his Christian accessories. The question
depends upon the general view, which is taken of his character and that of his imposture. On the supposition, that he was
himself a dupe, in whole or in part, it seems most likely that
this forged prophecy' was furnished by another; for if he had
manufactured it,he would probably have shunned all ambiguity
by using his real, or his most familiar name. If, on the contrary he laid his plans sagaciously, which is the common theory, this very equivoque resolves itself into a stroke of policy,
a sly contrivance to elude suspicion, by affecting the obscurity
which most men look for in a bona fide prophecy.
This notable prediction is of course regarded by all true
believers, as an accurate quotation from the uncorrupted Gospel. For they admit that there was once a Gospel pure and
undefiled, now utterly disfigured by malicious mutilation.
Here is a spot of ground on which the champion of the cross
must be prepared for battle. It is easy for us, assuming all the
* xxxvi. 13-29.
t lxi. 6.
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