The Book of Jonah is one of
the Prophets in the Bible. It tells of a Hebrew prophet named Jonah son of Amittai who is sent by God to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh but tries to escape the divine
mission.[1] Set in the reign of Jeroboam II (786–746 BC), it was probably
written in the post-exilic period, some time between the late 5th to early 4th century BC.
(a)
It is possible that some of the traditional
materials taken over by the book were associated with Jonah at an early date,
but the book in its present form reflects a much later composition.
It was written after the Babylonian Exile (6th century bc), probably in
the 5th or 4th century and certainly no later than the 3rd, since Jonah is
listed among the Minor Prophets in the apocryphal book
of Ecclesiasticus,
composed about 190. Like the Book of Ruth,
which was written at about the same period, it opposes the narrow Jewish nationalism characteristic
of the period following the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah with their emphasis on
Jewish exclusivity.
Thus the prophet Jonah.. (b)
The book does not bear the least evidence of having been
written by the prophet or even during his time; and its age must be gathered
from different indications. It has long since been held that it is one of the latest
books of the Hebrew canon. This is proved in the first place by the language,
as considered lexically, grammatically, and stylistically (comp. on this point
the commentaries, and books like S. R. Driver's "Introduction"). Only
Esther, Chronicles, and Daniel are of later date. Again, the way in which
Nineveh is referred to shows that the city had long since vanished from the
face of the earth and had faded into legend (comp. iii. 3). The King of
Nineveh, also (iii. 6), could have been referred to only in a late myth; and
the legendary atmosphere of the whole story, from beginning to end, is in
accord with the length of time that had elapsed since the events recounted took
place. This becomes evident both in the episode of the fish which swallows a man
and then casts him up alive after three days, and in that of the plant which in
one night grows high enough to overshadow Jonah. These things might, it is
true, be considered as divine miracles; but such an explanation can not be
offered for the three days' time that it takes to pass through Nineveh (iii.
3), nor for the fasting, sackcloth, and penitent cries of the animals (iii.
7 et seq.), much less for the conception that an Israelitish
prophet could preach penitence to the city of Nineveh, and that the king and
the citizens would listen to him. Everything about the story is, and was
intended to be, miraculous and legendary. (c)
Jean C. McGowan writes: "Commentators who have interpreted the book as an historical narrative identify Jonah with the 8th-cent. Prophet mentioned in 2 Kgs 14:25 and consider him to be the author of the book. However, the majority of scholars today deny Jonah's authorship and date the bok between 400 and 200 BC. Their arguments can be summarized as follows. The satirical tone in which the author writes about the Prophet in the third person suggests that he was not writing about himself. The lack of significant details, such as the name of the land where the fish left Jonah and the name of the king of Nineveh, suggest that the author was not writing about contemporary events. The language of the book is not that of the 8th-cent. A number of words used are not found elsewhere in the OT but only in later Hebr literature. The use of a number of Aramaisms indicate a date later than the 8th cent. (cf. A. Gelin, R-T 1, 745; Loretz, BZ, 5, 19-25). The mentality of the author is more like the mentality of the mid-5th cent. Other OT books, such as Ezr, Neh, and Ru, bear witness to the fact that in post-exilic Israel there was a strong current of interest in the question of Israel's relations to the nations, which would form a natural background for the theme of Jon. For these reasons, this book of unknown authorship is dated between 400-200." (d)
footnote
(b) Encyclopaedia Britannica
(c) Jewish encyclopaedia
(d) (The Jerome Biblical Commentary, vol. 1, p. 633)
It’s clear from the above sources that the Hebrew prophet Jonah son
of Amittai was not
the author of the book of Jonah. This means an unknown person wrote the story
of Jonah. Now this is no surprise when it comes to the authorship of books
found in the Bible. Majority of the Books in the Bible were written by unknown
scribes. The reason why I’m touching on this topic is, because of a Facebook
post made by a certain Christian by the name of korede. On his post, he wrote:
“Can you “fully” understand and “tell” the story of Jonah with
the Qur’an without the help of the Bible?
How absurd! Truly this guy is ignorant towards his own book. We
have demonstrated, how the Book of Jonah was not written by Jonah. The Book of
Jonah was written by an unknown author, or possibly by multiple authors. How does
korede explain this problem of authorship which is damaging its authenticity and
making the Book of Jonah unreliable?
He is basing the Quranic narrations on a book found in the
bible which is unauthentic? Is he out of his mind! On what grounds is he thinking
of using such method. Is he forgetting the changes made in the Bible throughout
centuries have only made it worse to give an accurate account on many stories.
Now coming to the Quranic narration of the Story of Jonah
Pbuh. The story of Jonah Pbuh was being told to Muslims well before they story
from the bible even reached them. Muslims throughout generations would read
from the Quran and Tafsir and read the entire story of Jonah, without the
mention of Bible.
The Quran related many stories of the Prophets Pbut to us. Those
stories are a lesson to us, we learn important lessons from them which we are
to use during our daily lives. One way or another these important stories
reflect our lives. Take for example the story of Joseph Pbuh, he brothers
tricked him, he was sold as a slave, he was tempted by the chiefs wife, he was
in prison, he was saved and become the ruler
of Egypt. Now this is a reflection on our lives, we get into family
feud, many have been tricked into human trafficking, many are seduced by women,
many are in prison. But what is the goal from this story what are the lessons that
we can learn and implement into our lives. The struggle and patience the
Prophets went through. Each story has his own unique lesson and teaching. The Quran
uses small snippets of story that has the larger meaning within the story
itself. This larger meaning is explained and elaborated by Prophet Muhammed
Pbuh and his Companions Ra. The entire story could be found in commentaries of
the Quran in great detail. If korede
thinks Muslims need the Bible to explain the Quranic stories then let him dream
on. Below are verses from the Quran Allah Swt tells us Prophet Muhammed Pbuh
was sent to explain the Quran.
PROPHET MUHAMMED (Pbuh) WAS SENT TO EXPLAIN THE QUR’AN
We raised the Messengers earlier with Clear Signs
and Divine Books, and We have now sent down this Reminder upon you that you may
elucidate to people the teaching that has been sent down for them, and
that the people may themselves reflect. (Surah 16:44)
We have sent down the Book that you may explain to
them the truth concerning what they are disputing and that the Book may serve
as a guidance and mercy for those who believe in it. (Surah 16:64)
Our Lord! Raise up in the midst of our offspring a
Messenger from among them who shall recite to them Your verses, and instruct
them in the Book and in Wisdom, and purify their lives. Verily, You are
the Most Mighty, the Most Wise.” (Surah 2:129)
He it is Who has sent to the gentiles a Messenger
from among themselves, one who rehearses to them His verses, purifies
their lives, and imparts to them the Book and the Wisdom although before
that they were in utter error; (Surah 62:2)
O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the
Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything
among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in
Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination. (Surah 4:59)
Let us now read from Islamic sources the story of Jonah
without using the Bible.
Yunus (Jonah) -
Description of Jonah's People
Prophet Jonah (Yunus) also known as Dhan-Nun. About his
people Almighty Allah said: Was there any town (community) that believed (after
seeing the punishment), and its Faith (at that moment) saved it (from the
punishment)? (The answer is none,) - except the people of Jonah; when they
believed, We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the
(present) world, and permitted them to enjoy for a while. Surah 10: 98
The inhabitants of the town of Nineveh were
idolators who lived a shameless life. Prophet Jonah was sent to teach them the
worship of Allah. The people disliked his interference in their way of worship,
so they argued: "We and our forefathers have worshipped these gods for
many years and no harm has come to us."
Yunus (Jonah) - Jonah Leaves His
People
Try as he might to convince them of the foolishness of idolatry and of the goodness of Allah's laws, they ignored him. He warned them that if they kept on with their foolishness, Allah's punishment would soon follow. Instead of fearing Allah, they told Jonah that they were not afraid of his threats. "Let it happen," they told him. Jonah was disheartened. "In that case I will leave you to your misery!" So saying, he left Nineveh, fearing that Allah's anger would soon follow. And (remember) Dhan-Nun (Jonah), when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him (i.e., the calamities which had befallen him)! Surah 21:87
Yunus (Jonah) - The People are
Forgiven
Hardly had he left the city when the skies
began to change color and looked as if they were on fire. The people were
filled with fear by this sight. They recalled the destruction of the people of
'Ad, Thamud and Noah. Was theirs to be a similar fate? Slowly faith penetrated
their hearts. They all gathered on the mountain and started to beseech Allah
for His mercy and forgiveness. The mountains echoed with their cries. It was a
momentous hour, filled with sincere repentance.
Allah removed His wrath and showered
His blessings upon them once again. When the threatening storm was lifted, they
prayed for the return of Jonah so that he could guide them.
yunus (Jonah) - The
Storm at Sea
Meanwhile, Jonah had boarded a small ship in
the company of other passengers. It sailed all day in calm waters with a good
wind blowing at the sails. When night came, the sea suddenly changed. A
horrible storm blew as if it were going to split the ship into pieces. The
waves looked wild. They rose up as high as mountains then plunged down like
valleys, tossing the ship and sweeping over the deck.
Behind the ship, a large whale was
splitting the water and opening its mouth. A command had been issued from
Almighty Allah to one of the greatest whales of the sea to surface. It obeyed.
The whale hurried to the surface of the sea and followed the ship as it had
been commanded.
The tempest continued and the chief
crewman asked the crew to lighten the ship's heavy load. They threw their
baggage overboard, but this was not enough. Their safety lay in reducing the
weight further, so they decided among themselves to lighten their load by
removing at least one person.
Yunus (Jonah) - Jonah Jumps into
the Sea
The captain directed: "We will make
lots with all the travelers' names. The one whose name is drawn will be thrown
into the sea." Jonah knew this was one of the seamen's traditions when
facing a tempest. It was a strange polytheistic tradition, but it was practiced
at that time. Jonah's affliction and crisis began.
Here was the prophet, subjected to
polytheistic rules that considered the sea and the wind to have gods that riot.
The captain had to please these gods. Jonah reluctantly participated in the
lot, and his name was added to the other travelers' names. The lot was drawn
and "Jonah" appeared.
Since they knew him to be the most
honorable among them, they did not wish to throw him into the angry sea.
Therefore, they decided to draw a second lot. Again Jonah's name was drawn.
They gave him a final chance and drew a third lot. Unfortunately for Jonah, his
name came up again.
Jonah realized that Allah's hand was
in all this, for he had abandoned his mission without Allah's consent. The
matter was over, and it was decided that Jonah should throw himself into the
water. Jonah stood at the edge of the ship, looking at the furious sea. It was
night and there was no moon. The stars were hidden behind a black fog. But
before he could be thrown overboard, Jonah kept mentioning Allah's name as he
jumped into the raging sea and disappeared beneath the huge waves.
Yunus (Jonah) - The
Whale Swallows Jonah
The whale found Jonah floating on the waves
before it. It swallowed Jonah into its furious stomach and shut its ivory teeth
on him as if they were white bolts locking the door of his prison. The whale
dived to the bottom of the sea, the sea that runs in the abyss of darkness.
Three layers of darkness enveloped
him, one above the other: the darkness of the whale's stomach, the darkness of
the bottom of the sea, the darkness of the night. Jonah imagined himself to be
dead, but his senses became alert when he found he could move. He knew that he
was alive and imprisoned in the midst of three layers of darkness. His heart
was moved by remembering Allah. His tongue was released soon after saying:
"La ilaha illa Anta (none has the right to be worshipped but You (0,
Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You above all that (evil) they associate
with You. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers." Surah 21:87
Jonah continued praying to Allah,
repeating this invocation. Fishes, whales, sea-weeds, and all the creatures
that lived in the sea heard the voice of Jonah praying, heard the celebration
of Allah's praises issuing from the whale's stomach. All these creatures
gathered around the whale and began to celebrate the praises of Allah in their
turn, each in its own way and in its own language.
The whale also participated in
celebrating the praises of Allah and understood that it had swallowed a
prophet. Therefore it felt afraid; however, it said to itself: "Why should
I be afraid? Allah commanded me to swallow him."
Yunus (Jonah) – Allah Forgives him Jonah
Allah Almighty saw the sincere repentance of Jonah and heard his invocation in the whale's stomach. Allah commanded the whale to surface and eject Jonah onto an island. The whale obeyed and swam to the farthest side of the ocean. Allah commanded it to rise towards the warm, refreshing sun and the pleasant earth.
The whale
ejected Jonah onto a remote island. His body was inflamed because of the acids
inside the whale's stomach. He was ill, and when the sun rose, its rays burned
his inflamed body so that he was on the verge of screaming for the pain.
However, he endured the pain and continued to repeat his invocation to Allah.
Almighty Allah caused a vine to grow to
considerable length over him for protection. Then Allah Exalted caused Jonah to
recover and forgave him. Allah told Jonah that if it had not been for his
praying to Him, he would have stayed in the whale's stomach till the Day of
Judgment.
Yunus (Jonah) - Summary
of Jonah's Story
Almighty Allah recounted:
And, verily, Jonah was one of the Messengers. When he ran to the laden ship, he
(agreed to) cast lots, and he was among the losers, - Then a (big) fish
swallowed him and he had done an act worthy of blame. Had he not been of them who
glorify Allah, he would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till
the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was
sick, and We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him. And We sent him to a
hundred thousand (people) or even more. And they believed; so We gave them
enjoyment for a while. Surah 37: 139-148
Yunus (Jonah) - Jonah's
People – Changed
Gradually he regained his strength and found his way to his
hometown, Nineveh. He was pleasantly surprised to notice the change that had
taken place there. The entire population turned out to welcome him. They
informed him that they had turned to believe in Allah. Together they led a
prayer of thanksgiving to their Merciful Lord.
Yunus (Jonah) - Porphet Muhammad's Saying About
Jonah (PBUT)
Ibn 'Abbas narrated: "The prophet Muhammad said:
'One should not say that I am better than Jonah Ibn Matta."
SubhanAllah the entire story explained
without the use of the Bible. Guess korede was wrong when he thought the Quranic
Story cannot be understood. He is forgetting we use the Quran and Sunnah. We have
the explanation of the Quran through Sunnah. The other problem is korede is not
a jew and we know from Jewish studies the Torah/ Tanack has also an explanation
Book known as the Talmud. The Jews explain the Old Testament through the
Talmud, that is their Oral Law.
