Message for Muslims

Sura 9 At-Taubah (The Repentance or Immunity) Medina

This chapter is sometimes called ‘Immunity’ on account of the first verse which reads: “A (declaration) of immunity from Allah and His Messenger, to those of the pagans with whom ye have contracted mutual alliances.” Verses 1-12 form the proclamation of immunity which declared that now that Mecca had been conquered Muhammad was released from any obligation towards any Arab idolaters. This section includes the famous verse of the sword. This sura, however, is more commonly entitled ‘Repentance’ after verse 104: “Know they not that Allah doth accept repentance.” Verses 38-99 refer to the campaign to Tabuk and emphasise the call to repentance on those who declined to accompany Muhammad on this expedition.

This chapter is the only one which does not have the bismillah, ‘In the name of God’ prefixed at the beginning. Rodwell says that the form bi-’smi’illahi ‘r-rahmani ‘r-rahim is of Jewish origin being taught firstly to the Qurraish by the poet Umaiyah of Taif, who was a slightly older contemporary of Muhammad. The absence of the bismillah here is said by some that Muhammad died shortly after this sura and had not given directions about it. Others assert that it arises because this sura was originally attached to sura 8.

Declaration of Immunity

“A (declaration) of immunity from Allah and His Messenger, to those of the pagans with whom ye have contracted mutual alliances: Go ye, then, for four months, backwards and forwards, throughout the land, but know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah but that Allah will cover with shame those who reject Him.  And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people on the day of the Great Pilgrimage, that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject faith. (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous” (v 1-4).

Ali read out the proclamation on the last day of the pilgrimage, on the day of sacrifice, as Muhammad had ordered.

The verse of the sword

“But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful” (v 5).

Ibn Ishaq says’ As soon as Mecca was conquered and the Quarraish had submitted to him, being humbled by Islam, the Arabs, understanding that they themselves had not the power to oppose Muhammad and make war against him, professed the faith of Islam.’  The whole framework of society was broken down and needed re-construction; only Muhammad had the power to head a new united Arabia. This verse abrogates the earlier restriction which did not allow Muslims to commence a war. Recognising the old order of the sacred months (the first, seventh, eleventh and twelfth months were months in which the Arabs made war unlawful) any idolaters found in the peninsula was to be ambushed and killed. Permission to enter the Ka‘aba precincts during this period were denied unless the idolater accepted Islam.

Giving drinks to pilgrims, and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque insufficient

“Do ye make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque, equal to (the pious service of) those who believe in Allah and the last day, and strive with might and main in the cause of Allah? They are not comparable in the sight of Allah: and Allah guides not those who do wrong” (v 19).

Al Abbas, Muhammad’s uncle, when taken a prisoner, had defended his unbelief, and declared that he had done these two important duties.

The victory of Hunain due to God’s help

“Assuredly Allah did help you in many battle-fields and on the day of Hunain: Behold! your great numbers elated you, but they availed you naught: the land, for all that it is wide, did constrain you, and ye turned back in retreat. But Allah did pour His calm on the Messenger and on the believers, and sent down forces which ye saw not: He punished the unbelievers; thus doth He reward those without faith” (v 25,26).

In A.H. 8 the Muslims came to the valley of Hunain, which is situated about three miles from Mecca, to engage the unbelievers in battle. They had superior forces numbering 12,000 men over the enemies 4,000. However, panic spread through the Muslim ranks but through the calmness and bravery of Muhammad and his companions order was restored and victory gained.

Jizya tax imposed on Jews and Christians

“Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the last day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued” (v 29).

From this verse the dogma of the jizya tax was established. While pagans have the choice only between Islam or death the possessors of the scriptures may obtain security and protection for themselves and their families and goods by paying the jizya. Only those who have lived and continue to live under the Islamic system know what it is like ‘ to feel themselves subdued.’ Sir Willaim Muir says” One must admire the rare tenacity of those who on payment of tribute were tolerated in the Islamic state; those believers who kept to their Christian faith with but scanty light and hope, held its ground through weary ages of insult and depression and still survives to see the dawning of a brighter day.”

When the Muslim armies went forth to attack the surrounding nations, they offered them three alternatives, Islam, the sword, or tribute. Sir William Muir also says “The first brought immediate relief. Acceptance of the faith not only stayed the enenmy’s hand, and conferred immunity from the perils of war, but associated the convert with the conquerors in the common brotherhood and in all the priveleges of Islam. On the other hand to those who held to their ancestral faith, there was no escape from the second or the third alternative.”

Jews and Christians reproved for using the epithet ‘the Son of God’

“The Jews call ‘Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the truth!” (v 30).

The Muslim tradition appears in several forms, the gist is as follows: Nebuchadnezzer had destroyed all the copies of the Pentateuch, but Ezra (’Uzair) had committed it to memory. On his way back from captivity he died but after a hundred years he rose from the dead and dictated the Pentateuch to the scribes. For this reason the Jews  believed that he must be the ’Son of God.’ There is no Jewish authority for this tradition and the story must be dismissed as pure invention.(c/f Al-Baqarrah 2:259)

Islam’s final verdict against Jews and Christians

They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords in derogation of Allah, and (they take as their Lord) Christ the son of Mary; yet they were commanded to worship but One Allah: there is no god but He. Praise and glory to Him: (Far is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him). Fain would they extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the unbelievers may detest. It is He who hath sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest. O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous penalty On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, their flanks, and their backs. “This is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried!” (v 31-35)

These verses refer not to the pagans but to Jews and Christians who are accused of attempting to put out the light of the Quran and the message of Allah’s last prophet. It is said of Islam that it will conquer all other religions and therefore abrogate their laws. These verses are set in the warlike atmosphere of the Tabuk Campaign ‘an expedition concerned with the submission of Christian and Jewish communities. This may be fairly taken as Muhammad’s final and deliberate opinion as to the future relation of Islam to these creeds and people.’ (Rev. Canon Sell)

Infidels may be attacked in the sacred months

“The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves” (v 36).

Refuge in the cave

If ye help not (your leader), (it is no matter): for Allah did indeed help him, when the unbelievers drove him out: he had no more than one companion; they two were in the cave, and he said to his companion, “Have no fear, for Allah is with us”: then Allah sent down His peace upon him, and strengthened him with forces which ye saw not, and humbled to the depths the word of the unbelievers. (v 40)

Here, many years later Muhammad recalls the time when Abu Bakr and himself took refuge in the cave Thaur for three days after fleeing Mecca.

The Tabuk campaign(v 38-99)

This was the last expedition undertaken during the Prophet’s lifetime and it was conducted in response to rumours of a Roman invasion. Disaffected Arab clans, nominally Muslim had gathered on the Syrian frontier and when they reached Tabuk they found that the rumours of the invasion had melted away and there was no threat at the present time to the border. Muhammad therefore had to content himself with the submission of some petty Christian and Jewish tribes while a strong detachment under Khalid was sent to Duma.  It is related in tradition that soon after the Tabuk campaign the followers of Islam began selling their arms saying ‘The wars for religion now are ended’ but Muhammad forbade the sale saying’ There shall not cease from the midst of my people a party engaged in fighting for the truth, even until Anti-Christ appear.’

Muslims exhorted to fight at Tabuk

“O ye who believe! what is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the hereafter. Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things” (v 38,39).

Go ye forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the cause of Allah. That is best for you, if ye (but) knew. If there had been immediate gain (in sight), and the journey easy, they would (all) without doubt have followed thee, but the distance was long, (and weighed) on them. They would indeed swear by Allah, “If we only could, we should certainly have come out with you” (v 41,42)

Tabuk was a town about halfway between Medina and Damascus. It was the hot season and some preferred to harvest their ripe fruits at home rather than campaign abroad. The Muslims set out unwillingly as punishment is threatened for disobedience although verse 39 is believed to be abrogated by the exception clause found in verse 92.

The reluctant campaigners of the Tabuk campaign

Only those ask thee for exemption who believe not in Allah and the Last Day, and whose hearts are in doubt, so that they are tossed in their doubts to and fro. If they had intended to come out, they would certainly have made some preparation therefor; but Allah was averse to their being sent forth; so He made them lag behind, and they were told, “Sit ye among those who sit (inactive).” If they had come out with you, they would not have added to your (strength) but only (made for) disorder, hurrying to and fro in your midst and sowing sedition among you, and there would have been some among you who would have listened to them. (45-47)

The sure reward of the faithful

“Say: “Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector”: and on Allah let the believers put their trust. Say: “Can you expect for us (any fate) other than one of two glorious things? But we can expect for you either that Allah will send his punishment from Himself, or by our hands. So wait (expectant); we too will wait with you.” (v 51,52).

Nothing would happen unless God had written it. The ‘two glorious things’ were victory in battle or admission into heaven through martyrdom.

How alms are to be distributed

“Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom (v 60).

Those ‘recently reconciled to the truth’ were the petty Arab chiefs who surrendered to Islam after the battle of Hunain and made terms with Muhammad.

Those who went to Tabuk Half-heartedly

“The Hypocrites are afraid lest a Sura should be sent down about them, showing them what is in their hearts. Say: “Mock ye! But verily Allah will bring to light all that ye fear. If thou dost question them, they declare: “We were only talking idly and in play.” Say: “Was it at Allah, and His signs, and His Messenger, that ye were mocking?” Make ye no excuses: ye have rejected faith after ye had accepted it. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you, for that they are in sin.” (v 64-66)

Muhammad receives a revelation against those who were murmuring about the campaign. One (hypocrite) had expressed the opinion that the idea of attacking and taking some of the forts and districts in Syria was unlikely to happen, but another rebuked him and hoped that a revelation would come to Muhammad concerning his attitude. The ‘revelation’ duly came against this murmuring and the hypocrites, in fear, responded saying they were only joking.

Muhammad must continue to strive against the unbelievers and hypocrites

O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell, an evil refuge indeed. (v 73)

‘This ninth sura is the last, or the last but one to be revealed. It is fierce and intolerant, and shows how advancing years, instead of mellowing and softening the temper of the Prophet, only developed his warlike spirit (Rev. Canon Sell)’

The Hell-fire is fiercer than not striving for Allah

Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the Messenger of Allah: they hated to strive and fight, with their goods and their persons, in the cause of Allah: they said, “Go not forth in the heat.” Say, “The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat.” (v 81)

Those who sought exemption from the Tabuk campaign

When a Sura comes down, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive and fight along with His Messenger, those with wealth and influence among them ask thee for exemption, and say: “Leave us (behind): we would be with those who sit (at home).” (v 86)

Who may remain at home during war – The Weepers

“There is no blame on those who are infirm, or ill, or who find no resources to spend (on the cause), if they are sincere to Allah and His Messenger: no ground can there be against such as do right: and Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. Nor (is there blame) on those who came to thee to be provided with mounts, and when thou saidst, “I can find no mounts for you,” they turned back, their eyes streaming with tears of grief that they had no resources wherewith to provide the expenses. The ground (of complaint) is against such as claim exemption while they are rich. They prefer to stay with the (women) who remain behind: Allah hath sealed their hearts; so they know not.”(v.91-93)

There was insufficient carriage and supplies to meet the needs of all and some who could not participate in the Tabuk campaign were bitterly disappointed.  A tradition states that seven men asked Muhammad for some old boots because they could not march without them in the hot season. When they heard that they could not be supplied, they went away crying. They are honoured as ‘The Weepers.’

The bedouins who held back from the campain are rebuked

And there were, among the desert Arabs (also), men who made excuses and came to claim exemption; and those who were false to Allah and His Messenger (merely) sat inactive. Soon will a grievous penalty seize the unbelievers among them. (v 90)

The Arabs of the desert are the worst in unbelief and hypocrisy, and most fitted to be in ignorance of the command which Allah hath sent down to His Messenger Some of the desert Arabs look upon their payments as a fine, and watch for disasters for you: on them be the disaster of evil (v 97, 98)

In the Campaign of Tabuk those who held back are rebuked, but those who went were highly commended and for the latter there would be in Paradise ‘gardens under which rivers flow.’

Those who afterwards repented for their lack of commitment

Others have acknowledged their wrong-doings: they have mixed an act that was good with another that was evil. Perhaps Allah will turn unto them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Of their goods, take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them; and pray on their behalf. Verily thy prayers are a source of security for them (v 102,103).

Some believers confessed their fault and were forgiven but they were materially disadvantaged for not following the Messenger of God’s instructions.

Opposition mosque denounced

“And there are those who put up a mosque by way of mischief and infidelity to disunite the believers and in preparation for one who warred against Allah and His Messenger aforetime. They will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good; But Allah doth declare that they are certainly liars. Never stand thou forth therein. There is a mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety; it is more worthy of the standing forth (for prayer) therein. In it are men who love to be purified; and Allah loveth those who make themselves pure.(v 107,108)

Muhammad had laid the foundation stone of the first place of public prayer in Islam at the mosque at Kuba, about two miles from Medina, four days before he entered that city on his flight from Mecca. In this verse the tribe of Bani Ganim had built a mosque professedly for religious motives, and had invited Muhammad when on his way to Tabuk to dedicate it by a solemn act of prayer. Muhammad, however, discovered that their real motive was jealousy. They were envious of another tribe and jealous over the mosque at Kuba. They also had an understanding between themselves and Muhammad’s enemy Abu Amir, a monk who was at that very time in Syria trying to get the Greeks to attack the Muslims and their mosque.

Muslims not to pray for idolatrous relatives after death

“It is not fitting, for the Prophet and those who believe, that they should pray for forgiveness for pagans, even though they be of kin, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the fire.”  (v 113)

It is lawful to pray for unbelievers before their death, but not after it. Prayers may be offered for departed friends, if they are Muslims.

Students and teachers exempt from the call to arms

Nor should the believers all go forth together: if a contingent from every expedition remained behind, they could devote themselves to studies in religion, and admonish the people when they return to them  (v 122)

Muhammad claims to be the Apostle of God

The last verses of sura 9 was only to be found with Abu Khuzaima

“Now hath come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves:

it grieves him that ye should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the believers is he most kind and merciful” (v 128).

Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, is the fire of Hell? wherein they shall dwell.

That is the supreme disgrace. (v 63)

God and His Apostle is a very common phrase in the Madina Suras. He was now ruler of the theocratic state and he gave out his orders regarding a great variety of matters his boldness developed according to the measure of his success.

This verse was almost lost but when searching for the fragments of the Quran it was found with Abu Khuzima. We provide the relevant hadith: from Bukhari Volume 6, Book 61, Number 509: Narrated Zaid bin Thabit: So I started looking for the Quran and collecting it from palmed stalks, thin white stones and also from the men who knew it by heart, till I found the last verse of Surat At-Tauba (Repentance) with Abi Khuzaima Al-Ansari, and I did not find it with anybody other than him.

 

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Sura 10 Yunus (Jonah) Mecca

This chapter is largely addressed to the unbelieving Qurraish who continue to follow their idols and charge Muhammad with imposture. Moses is represented as an example of a former prophet who when in Egypt, was accused of sorcery and seeking to get the Egyptians to move away from the ways of their idolatrous forefathers. This was a time of increased opposition for Muhammad and becomes the prelude for the flight from Mecca. The title is taken from verse 98 where there is a reference to Jonah.

The Meccans accuse Muhammad of sorcery

“Is it a matt er of wonderment to men that We have sent Our inspiration to a man from among themselves? that he should warn mankind and give the good news to the believers that they have before their Lord the lofty rank of truth. say the unbelievers: “This is indeed an evident sorcerer!” (v 2).

The believers salutation in Paradise

“(This will be) their cry therein: “Glory to Thee, O Allah!” And “Peace” will be their greeting therein!

and the close of their cry will be:

“Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds!” (v 10).

The salutation is either that of the blessed to one another, or that of the angels to the blessed.

The Qurraish ask for a different Quran

“But when Our clear signs are rehearsed unto them, those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us, say: “Bring us a reading other than this, or change this,” Say: “It is not for me, of my own accord, to change it: I follow naught but what is revealed unto me: if I were to disobey my Lord, I should myself fear the penalty of a great day (to come).” (v 15).

The Qurraish wanted a message of mercy instead of threatening. Muhammad declared he could not change it because the abrogations were only made by God.

Mankind one community

“Mankind was but one nation, but differed (later). Had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord, their differences would have been settled between them” (v 19).

Some are of the opinion that the meaning here is that once there was only one religion, and that was monotheistic Islam but the religion has been perverted by Jews, Christians and others. Here is a relevant hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah alone) and his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?” (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 467)

A sign demanded from Muhammad

“They say: “Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?”

Say: “The unseen is only for Allah, then wait ye: I too will wait with you.” (v 20)

This shows that as yet Muhammad had not wrought any miracle, but some suggest that from the saying ‘wait,’ he seems to have expected to receive the power to do so.

Unbelievers remember God in distress, but forget Him when delivered

“He it is Who enableth you to traverse through land and sea; so that ye even board ships; they sail with them with a favourable wind, and they rejoice there at; then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think they are being overwhelmed: they cry unto Allah, sincerely offering duty unto Him saying, “If thou dost deliver us from this, we shall truly show our gratitude!”  But when he delivereth them, behold! they transgress insolently through the earth in defiance of right! O mankind! your insolence is against your own souls, an enjoyment of the life of the present: in the end, to Us is your return, and We shall show you the truth of all that ye did” (v 22, 23)

Idolaters will be deserted by their gods on the judgment day

“One day shall We gather them all together. Then shall We say to those who joined gods “To your place! ye and those ye joined as ‘partners’ We shall separate them, and their “partners” shall say: “It was not us that ye worshipped! “Enough is Allah for a witness between us and you: we certainly knew nothing of your worship of us!” There will every soul prove the deeds it sent before: they will be brought back to Allah their rightful Lord, and their invented falsehoods will leave them in the lurch” (v  28-30).

The Muslim belief is that idols will be gifted with speech on judgement day and that they will reproach their worshipers, instead of interceding for them.

Idolaters should worship their Creator and Preserver

“Say: “Who is it that sustains you from the sky and from the earth? or who is it that has power over hearing and sight? And who is it that brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living? and who is it that rules and regulates all affairs?” They will soon say, “Allah”. Say, “will ye not then show piety (to Him)?” Such is Allah, your real cherisher and sustainer: apart from truth, what (remains) but error ? How then are ye turned away?” ….. . “Thus is the word of thy Lord proved true against those who rebel: Verily they will not believe Say: “Of your ‘partners’, can any originate creation and repeat it?” Say: “It is Allah who originates creation and repeats it: then how are ye deluded away (from the truth)?” (v 31, 32 & 34)

The foolishness of those who worship inferior deities is shown, while they regard God as the source of all their blessings.

The Quran said to have been composed only by God

“This Quran is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book wherein there is no doubt from the Lord of the worlds. Or do they say, “He forged it”? say: “Bring then a sura like unto it, and call (to your aid) anyone you can besides Allah, if it be ye speak the truth!” (v 37, 38)

No reason is given as to why none other but God could have composed the Quran. The only proof requested that it was not forged by Muhammad is to bring a chapter like it. Authors naturally think highly of their own productions: other people believe that there are writings much superior to the Quran.

Sale’s translation of the Quran is known to be fair one but his well-known statement on its literary quality should be remembered, ‘I must say it is as toilsome reading as I ever undertook. A wearisome confused jumble, crude, incondite; endless iterations, long-mindedness, entanglement, most crude, insupportable stupidity in short.

The Prophet charged with imposture

“Nay, they charge with falsehood that whose knowledge they cannot compass, even before the elucidation thereof hath reached them: thus did those before them make charges of falsehood: but see what was the end of those who did wrong! (v 39)

Muhammad compares himself with the former prophets, who were like himself charged with imposture

An apostle sent to every nation

“To every people a messenger: when their messenger comes the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged” (v 47).

God’s omnipresence enables Him to record pious and impious actions

“In whatever business thou mayest be, and whatever portion thou mayest be reciting from the Quran, and whatever deed ye may be doing, We are witnesses thereof when ye are deeply engrossed therein. Nor is hidden from thy Lord the weight of an atom on the earth or in heaven. And not the least and not the greatest of these things but are recorded in a clear record” (v 61)

Moses accused of sorcery by the Egyptians

“Then after them sent We Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his chiefs with Our signs but they were arrogant: they were a people in sin.  When the truth did come to them from Us, they said: “This is indeed evident sorcery!” Said Moses: “Say ye (this) about the truth when it hath (actually) reached you? Is sorcery (like) this? But sorcerers will not prosper.” They said: “Hast thou come to us to turn us away from the ways we found our fathers following, in order that thou and thy brother may have greatness in the land? But not we shall believe in you!” (v 75-78)

The Bible does not say that Moses and Aaron were sent to the Egyptians to achieve their conversion to the true faith.

Pharaoh’s body raised from the sea

“We took the Children of Israel across the sea: Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in insolence and spite. At length, when overwhelmed with the flood, he said: “I believe that there is no god except Him whom the Children of Israel believe in: I am of those who submit (to Allah in Islam).” (It was said to him): “Ah now! But a little while before, wast thou in rebellion! and thou didst mischief! “This day shall We save thee in the body, that thou mayest be a sign to those who come after thee! but verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our signs!” (v 90-92)

This legend is of the type seen in the Talmud. Pharaoh when drowning is said to have confessed himself a Muslim, but Gabriel stopped his mouth with mud and reproached him. As some of the Israelites doubted that Pharaoh had really drowned the legend says that Gabriel, by God’s command, caused his body to swim so that they could see it.

An appeal made to the Scriptures

“If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee:the truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt” (v 94).

The full and true account on Moses and his dealings with Pharaoh ares seen in the Old Testament.  If the scriptures had been corrupted as modern day Muslims suggest would Muhammad have spoken of them as he did? Would he not rather have warned people about their use?  The appeal to corrupted scriptures is thoroughly baseless Muhammad never even entertained the idea. Any imputation of Jews and Christians corrupting the text comes from the Muslim doctors who, finding the Quran differed from the scriptures, sought to escape out of the difficulty by this groundless assumption.

The repentance of Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah

“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” (v 98).

In the Bible (2 Kings 14:25) Jonah is called the son of Ammittai, he is mentioned four times in the Quran but his father’s name is not recorded. He is also called Dhu’ l-Nun (Zun-nun): “And remember Zun-nun, when he departed in wrath’” (Al-Anbiya 21:87)’ and “‘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’” (Al-Haqqah 68:48). He is the only major or minor prophet mentioned in the Quran. Muhammad’s familiarity with Jewish history shows that he had Jews amongst his friends and acquaintances.