| Pain, Pleasure and Prejudice The Complete Layman’s Guide to the Koran Chapter 4 The Old Testament vs. The Koran - Part II Part I began and ended with Genesis. Part II is mainly Exodus, as the story of Moses and the Hebrews flight from Egypt is a favourite of Allah. However, this does not mean that Allah does not have something to say about other heroes of the Bible such as Jethro, Solomon, Saul, David, and let’s not forget Job. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba Job Remember Job? 21:83 And [remember] Job, when he called upon his Lord saying: “Affliction has touched me and you are the Most Merciful of the Merciful.” 21:84 And so, We answered him and lifted the affliction which he suffered; and We gave him his people and the like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Us and a Reminder to the worshippers. Both the Koran and the Bible agree on why bad things happen to good people, at least where Job is concerned. It’s all Satan’s doing. 38:41 And remember Our servant Job when he called out to his Lord: “Satan has visited me with weariness and torture.” 38:42 “Stamp with your foot, and behold, here is a cool washing-place, and water to drink.” 38:43 And we granted to him his family and the like of them also, as a Mercy from Us and a Reminder to people of understanding. 38:44 “And take with your hand a bundle of twigs and strike with it, and do not break your oath.” We have indeed found him steadfast, a blessed servant. He was truly penitent. Elijah 37:123 And Elias (Elijah) too was one of the Messengers. 37:124 When he said to his people: “Do you not fear God? 37:125 “Do you call upon Baal (the Phoenician god of fertility), forsaking the Best of Creators, 37:126 “Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?” 37:127 But they denounced him as a liar; and behold they shall be brought forward. 37:128 Except for Our sincere servants. 37:129 And We left him for the later generations; 37:130 “Peace be upon the family of Elias.” 37:131 Thus, We reward the beneficent. 37:132 He is one of our believing servants. Ezekiel Ezekiel, or Dhul-Kifl, as he is known in the Koran, is mentioned only in passing on two occasions, along with more famous prophets, at the end of both brief accounts of the trials of Job. 21:85 And (remember) Isma’il and Idris[16] and Dhul-Kifl; each was one of the steadfast. 21:86 And We admitted them into Our Mercy; there were all truly righteous. ---- 38:45 And remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of might and perception. 38:47 We have favoured them with the pure trait of remembering the Abode (Paradise). 38:47 They are surely for Us among the well-chosen, the pious. 38:48 And Isma’il, Elias and Dhul-Kifl; each was one of the pious. ---- [16] “… Idris is, at times, identified with the Biblical Enoch” (Wiki) mostly because in another revelation Allah discloses that He elevated him to a “high place”, as God did to Enoch in the Book of Genesis, raising him to heaven. 19:56 And mention in the Book Idris; he was truthful and a Prophet. 19:57 And We raised him to a high place.
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