Page 422 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

Credulity

I Rev. li. D. IJakken
HE credulity of the Arab is one of the most astounding things
T one meets in Arabia. Stories which to us could hardly be ac-
cepled by children are told by men and women as the absolute
and sober truth. The Arab does not seem to question any tale
v long as it is current among his own peiple, is given in the Quran or
Traditions, or strange to say, is printed in a newspaper. He lives in
constant fear of the other world and that other world is a very real and
very close thing. At any moment he may be brought into contact with it
ami so he must be very careful that he does not in any way offend its
t
f inhabitants who of course would take their revenge. 'These people and
spirits of the other world are constantly breaking over into this world and
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marvelous tales are told of these happenings.

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JJA11UAIN ItAKltlCU SHOP

At first sight this credulity would seem to be a great advantage to the
mi>Moiiary for it would seem that people so ready to believe all kinds of
»uilatidish stories would also be ready to receive the simple vet marvelous
Mnry of Christ, but such is not the case. It is true that they do receive
-ml accept a great number of stories of Christ, even stories that we do
imi believe, but this very credulity is a hindrance to the spread ol the
(iiopcl. For this belief in foolish tales takes away from the marvels
i.i the tiospel and makes them seem commonplace.
1 he Quran is greatly to blame for the credulity of the Arab and all
••ilier Moslems. Mohammed is pictured in the Quran as not only the last
| .ml M*al of the prophets sent by God to teach mankind, but he is also sent
a In lie the prophet of the jinn (genii). These jinn are represented as being
I M,,,jd and bad, some having accepted Islam and some having rejected

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