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The beginning of the story of Jonah is similar to those of other prophets such as Noah, who warned the people of impending disaster. However, the end is very different. Jonah’s people (Qur’an) or the city of Nineveh (Bible) repented before God visited his wrath upon them. God forgave them and allowed them a period of earthly happiness. However, first Jonah underwent a frightening experience. When he left his stubborn people full of anger, and boarded a ship, a storm arose. Lots were drawn to decide who must be thrown overboard to lighten the ship’s load. Jonah was chosen. He was swallowed by a fish and while trapped inside its belly he began to feel remorse for deserting his people. He called on Allah for help. Allah forgave him and the fish spat him out onto a beach. Allah caused a plant to grow over him to provide him with shelter. In the Bible, Jonah was also swallowed by a fish and, later in the story, God caused a tree to grow for him. When he had recovered, he returned to his people, who had meanwhile changed their ways. The impending disaster was averted. In the Bible, the story concerned the foreign city Nineveh. In The Qur’an the story is about Jonah’s own people. Jonah is numbered amongst the list of prophets, and the Qur’an has a chapter named after him. The Bible also gives Jonah his own chapter. |
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Nineveh doomed
One day the LORD told Jonah… go to the great city of Nineveh and say to the people: “The LORD has seen your terrible sins. You are doomed!” Instead, Jonah ran… he… got on the ship and sailed away to escape. But the LORD made a strong wind blow, and such a bad storm came up that the ship was about to be broken to pieces. Finally, the sailors got together and said: “Let's ask our gods to show us who caused all this trouble.” It turned out to be Jonah. They started asking him: “Are you the one who brought all this trouble on us? Jonah answered: “I'm a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” When the sailors heard this, they were frightened, because Jonah had already told them he was running from the LORD. Then they said: “Do you know what you have done? What should we do with you to make the sea calm down?” Jonah told them: “Throw me into the sea, and it will calm down. I'm the cause of this terrible storm.” Then they threw Jonah overboard, and the sea calmed down.” Jonah 1: 1-5, 7-12, 15
Fish swallows Jonah
The LORD sent a big fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah 1: 17
From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God: “When I was in trouble, LORD, I prayed to you, and you listened to me. From deep in the world of the dead, I begged for your help, and you answered my prayer. You threw me down to the bottom of the sea. The water was churning all around; I was completely covered by your mighty waves. I was almost drowned by the swirling waters that surrounded me. Seaweed had wrapped around my head. But with shouts of praise, I will offer a sacrifice to you, my LORD… because you are the one with power to save.” Jonah 2: 1-3, 5, 8-9
Jonah cast upon the shore
The LORD commanded the fish to vomit up Jonah on the shore. And it did. Jonah 2: 10
Once again the LORD told Jonah to go to that great city of Nineveh and preach his message of doom. Jonah obeyed the LORD and went to Nineveh... Jonah warned the people: “Forty days from now, Nineveh will be destroyed!” Jonah 3: 1-4
They believed God's message… When the king of Nineveh heard what was happening, he also dressed in sackcloth; he left the royal palace and sat in dust. Then he and his officials sent out an order for everyone in the city to obey. It said: “You must also pray to the LORD God with all your heart and stop being sinful and cruel. Maybe God will change his mind and have mercy on us, so we won't be destroyed.”When God saw that the people had stopped doing evil things, he had pity and did not destroy them as he had planned. Jonah 3: 5-10
Jonah was really upset and angry. The LORD made a vine grow up to shade Jonah's head and protect him from the sun. Jonah was very happy to have the vine… Jonah 4: 1, 6 |
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Allah sends Jonah
So also was Jonah among those sent (by Us). Surah 37: 139
We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good: And Ishmael and Elisha, and Jonas, and Lot: and to all We gave favour above the nations… (To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren: We chose them, and we guided them to a straight way. This is the guidance of Allah. He giveth that guidance to whom He pleaseth, of His worshippers… These were the men to whom We gave the Book, and authority, and prophethood… Surah 6: 84-89
And remember Zun-nun (“he with the fish”), when he departed in wrath: He imagined that We had no power over him! Surah 21: 87
When he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden; he (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned. Surah 37: 140-141
Jonah repents
Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame. Surah 37: 142
But he cried through the depths of darkness: “There is no god but thou: glory to thee: I was indeed wrong!” So We listened to him: and delivered him from distress: and thus do We deliver those who have faith. Surah 21: 87-88
Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah, he would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection. Surah 37: 143-144
Jonah’s people saved
So wait with patience for the Command of thy Lord, and be not like the Companion of the Fish – when he cried out in agony. Had not Grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been cast off on the naked shore, in disgrace. Thus did his Lord choose him and make him of the Company of the Righteous. Surah 68: 48-50
But We cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness, And We caused to grow, over him, a spreading plant of the gourd kind. And We sent him (on a mission) to a hundred thousand (men) or more. And they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while. Surah 37: 145-148
Why was there not a single township (among those We warned), which believed – so its faith should have profited it – except the people of Jonah? When they believed, We removed from them the penalty of ignominy in the life of the present, and permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while. Surah 10: 98
To every people (was sent) an apostle… Surah 10: 47
If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed– all who are on earth! wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe! Surah 10: 99 |
Koran and Bible side by side (Marlies ter Borg & Karima Bisschop) © 2007 Unieboek bv
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