To stay in Mecca, we'll skip over it and return to the company of demons. Turns out they loved this incessant talk of hell fire, ripping men apart, shackles, and chains. In seventh century Arabia, devils were called jinn. The spirit who inspired the Qur'an loved his tribe so much, he named the 72nd surah in their honor: "The Jinn." Listen to what Satan, I mean Muhammad's Lord, had to say about his prophet's dubious fan club. Qur'an 72:1 "Say (Muhammad): 'It has been revealed to me that a group of (three to ten) Jinn listened (to the Qur'an). They said, "We have heard a really wonderful recital (of this Qur'an)! It guides to the Right Path. We have come to believe it. We shall not associate anything with our Lord."'" This confirms that Muhammad and the demons serve the same Lord. They believe in the same scripture. They have the same religion.

Qur'an 72:3 "And exalted be the majesty of our Lord [Satan]: He has taken neither wife nor son. There were some foolish ones among us, who used to utter preposterous things, atrocious lies against the Lord; We Jinn had thought that no man or jinn would ever say anything untrue about the Lord." Not only does Satan's tribe love the Islamic Lord and his Qur'an, they're willing to attack his competitors and detractors. Yes, Muhammad's god had competitors, and they ranged from puny local rock idols like Allah's daughters Manat, Al-Uzza, and Al-Lat to Yahweh.

Stealing from Zayd, the Qur'an goes on to report: Qur'an 72:6 "But there were men among mankind who took shelter with the male jinn. But they (jinn) increased them in waywardness, folly, and revolt. And surely they came to think as you thought, that the Lord would not raise up any Messenger." If Muslims weren't killing us, this pathetic attempt at scripture would be funny. The tale begins much like the 46th surah which we reviewed earlier, by claiming jinn think the Qur'an is wonderful. They endorse Muhammad's recital saying it's the straight path to their Lord. Then, two verses later these very same jinn are accused of increasing people's waywardness, folly, and revolt. The author of this surah seems irrational.

We have been told that the Islamic lord ambushes men and that he places wardens over hell so that his creation will burn in the shooting flames. Now the Qur'an says these fearsome things are in heaven: Qur'an 72:8 "We jinn pried into the secrets of heaven; but we found it filled with fierce guards, stern wardens and flaming fires. We used to sit there in, hidden in observatories, trying to steal [an interesting choice of words] a hearing; but any who listen now will find a shooting star and a flaming fire watching him, lying in wait as an ambush for him." Muhammad's spirit is confusing heaven with hell.

Qur'an 72:10 "And we Jinn know not whether harm or evil is the intended fate of all men on earth, or whether the Lord intends to give them some guidance." The Islamic god has just dug himself in deeper. He started this "revelation" saying that the jinn listened to Muhammad reciting his Qur'an - Islam's guidance to all mankind. They gave it the Good-Ka'aba-Keeping Seal-of-Approval. Now he says the jinn are clueless as to whether the lord will guide men or just fire up the godly barbeque and roast them. While I'm certain God didn't inspire this mess, it begs the question: who would be willing to promote such an obvious fraud? Who would create heaven and hell with wardens and fiery missiles? Who needs to be praised and feared? Who thinks decadence and carnal lust are heavenly. Who wants to lure men to their doom?

The spirit who leads men astray by appearing to be enlightened said, Qur'an 72:11 "There are among us [jinn] some who are upright, some otherwise; we follow divergent ways (religious sects). But we came to realize that we could not weaken the Lord on earth, nor by any means frustrate Him. We cannot escape, outpacing Him by flying away."

Demonic spirits loving the Qur'an is so condemning of Islam it bears additional scrutiny. The Qur'an tells us that jinn were made of fire, like Satan, and belong to his tribe. In fact, in Qur'an 18:50 Allah says that Satan is a jinn. The Qur'anic angels, by contrast, were made from light. As an interesting aside, the only earthly source of light in Muhammad's Mecca was fire. Angels and Devils would have been indistinguishable from his perspective and definition. He would not have been able to tell Gabriel from Lucifer (although he would have liked Lucifer a whole lot better).

Just to make sure we've got this demonic jinn thing right, let's look at some Bukhari and Muslim Hadiths. Perhaps Lucifer is really being confused for Gabriel. Bukhari:V6B60N332 "The Prophet said, 'Last night a demon from the Jinn came to me to disturb my prayer, but Allah gave me the power to overcome him. I intended to tie him to one of the pillars of the mosque till the morning so that all of you could see him.'" If you recall, Muhammad was terrorized by Gabriel. However, he had no problem with the Devil. As I said, he has them confused.

The Qur'an says jinn are invisible, so someone must have wondered how Muhammad knew they'd heard his recital. He offered this explanation. Bukhari:V5B58N199 "'Who informed you Prophet about the Jinn when they heard the Qur'an.' He said, 'A tree informed me about them.'"

Satanic soothsayers work with the jinn who just testified that the Qur'an was truthful: Bukhari:V9B93N650 "Some people asked the Prophet about soothsayers. 'Allah's Apostle! Some of their talks come true.' The Prophet said, 'That word which happens to be true is what a Jinn snatches away by stealth (from Heaven) and pours it in the ears of the soothsayer with a sound like the cackling of a hen. The soothsayer mixes it with one hundred lies.'"

This is as stunning as it is incriminating: Bukhari:V6B60N475 "Allah's Apostle became sick and could not offer his prayer. A lady came and said, 'Muhammad! I think that your Satan has forsaken you, for I have not seen him with you for two or three nights!' On that Allah revealed: 'By the night when it darkens, your Lord has neither forsaken you, nor hated you.'" (Qur'an 93:1) Accused of being forsaken by Satan, Muhammad says that his lord has not forsaken him. He doesn't deny the Devil.

The man who never allowed the Qur'an to be written or read, only spoken, during his life, revealed that seductive speech was magic. Bukhari:V6B60N662 "Allah's Apostle said, 'Some eloquent speech is as effective as magic.'" Bukhari:V9B87N127 "The Prophet said, 'I have been given the keys of eloquent speech and given victory with terror.'" Then speaking of magic, the Devil's most seductive tool, we learn: Bukhari:V6B60N658 "A man worked magic on Allah's Apostle until he started imagining that he had done a thing that he had not really done."

Earlier, the Meccans said "spitting and blowing" were signs that someone was demon-possessed, that they were a sorcerer, or a soothsayer. You don't suppose Muhammad did these things? Bukhari:V7B71N643 "I heard the Prophet saying, 'If anyone of you dreams something he dislikes, when you get up, blow thrice on your left.'" The next time he was asked the same question, he replied: Bukhari:V9B87N115 "If you spit on the left side of your bed the bad dream will not harm you."

Bukhari:V6B60N373 "The Prophet explained, 'Paradise and Hell argued.... Allah said to the Hell Fire, "You are my (means of) punishment by which I torment whoever I wish of my slaves. You will have your fill. As for the Fire, it will not be filled until I put My Foot over it.'" Allah has not delegated torture. He is a hands-on participant.

Having been possessed by the devil, Muhammad was an authority on them. He even admitted to having a devil as an attaché but said that Allah commanded him. Muslim: B039N6757 "Allah's Messenger said: 'Everyone has an attaché from amongst the jinn (devils).' [The translator recognized that jinn and devils were indistinguishable.] The Prophet's Companions asked: Allah's Messenger, is there one with you too.' He said: 'Yes, but Allah helps me so I am safe from his hand and he does not command me but for good.'" Judging by the demented and immoral tone of the Qur'an, Satan has been allowed to define the word "good," too.

Knowing the truth about Allah, Muhammad didn't want anyone questioning how his Lord was conceived. Muslim:B001N0244/Bukhari:V4B54N496 "The Messenger of Allah observed: 'Satan comes to everyone of you and says, "Who created this and that," until he asks, "Who created your Lord?" When he comes to that, one should seek refuge and keep away from such idle thoughts.'" Lucifer was created by Yahweh which proves he wasn't God.

Speaking of his own ministry: Bukhari:V4B55N554 "Allah's Apostle said, 'Shall I not tell you about the a story of which no prophet told his nation? Someone will bring with him what will resemble Hell and Paradise, and what he will call Paradise will be actually Hell.'"

A tradition related by both Bukhari and Muslim protest that Muhammad's demonic encounter was validated historically. How, pray tell? "The Prophet was going to visit a fair with some Companions. On the way a company of the jinn happened by. When they heard the Qur'an being recited, they tarried and listened attentively. This event is described in the Qur'an and shows that the jinn who heard the Qur'an were polytheists and deniers of the Prophethood of Muhammad. Then, it is confirmed historically that the Prophet was able to convince them to worship Allah alone."

While on the subject of demented deities, please consider: Bukhari:V4B54N482 "Allah's Apostle said, 'The Hell Fire complained to its Lord saying, "O my Lord! My different parts are eating each other up." So, He allowed it to take two breaths, one in winter, the other in summer. This is the reason for the severe heat and bitter cold you find in weather.'" Imagine: Muslims believe God inspired this. But it doesn't sound and more inspired than this: Bukhari:V4B54N487 "The Prophet said, 'The Hell Fire is 69 times hotter than ordinary worldly fires.' So someone said, 'Allah's Apostle, wouldn't this ordinary fire have been sufficient to torture the unbelievers?'"

Team Islam knew that demons loved the darkness of night. Bukhari:V4B54N533 "Muhammad preached, 'Cover your utensils, tie your water skins, close your doors, and keep your children close at night, as Jinn spread out at such time and snatch things away. When you go to bed put out your lights, for they may use a candle to burn you and your house.' Ata added, 'The Prophet actually said, Devils, instead of Jinn.'"

As you read the next two Hadith, remember, Islam claims they're scripture. Bukhari:V4B54N516 "The Apostle said, 'If anyone rouses from sleep and performs the ablution, he should wash his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out thrice, because Satan has stayed in the upper part of his nose all night.'" Bukhari:V4B54N492 "It was mentioned to the Prophet that a man slept in and missed the morning prayer. The Prophet said, 'Satan urinated in his ears.'" If Muhammad's dark spirit were not Satan, why would the Devil be upset by a Muslim missing prayers?

Muhammad's propensity to cavort with demons is unnerving. Each encounter unravels the fabric of Islam's credibility. As such, I took the liberty of pulling some analysis from Maududi's Qur'an commentary. "The jinn used to be able to eavesdrop on heaven but suddenly they found that angels had been set as guards and meteorites were being shot on every side so that they could find no place of safety to hear the secret news. They had set about searching for the unusual thing that had occurred on the earth to explain why the security measures had been tightened up. Many companies of jinn were moving about in search when one of them, after having heard the Qur'an from the Prophet, formed the opinion that it was the very thing which had caused all the gates of the heavens to be shut against them." There must be something in Islam that turns men's minds to mush.

Maududi continues to press the Islamic case. "Before one studies 'The Jin.' surah one must know the reality of jinn so as to avoid mental confusion. Many misunderstand, thinking that jinn are not real, but only a figment of ancient superstitions and myths. They have not formed this opinion on the basis that they have known all the realities and truths about the universe. They cannot claim to possess any such knowledge.... The person who thinks that what he does not perceive, does not exist, and what exists must necessarily be perceived, provides proof of the narrowness of his own mind. With this mode of thought, not to speak of the jinn, man cannot even acknowledge any reality.... Muslims have given strange interpretations to the clear statements of the Qur'an about jinn, Iblis, and Satan. They say that this does not refer to any hidden creation, but implies man's own animal forces, which have been called Satanic. But the statements of the Qur'an in this regard are so clear and explicit that this bears no relevance. The Qur'an leaves no room to regard the jinn as a human species. At the creation of Adam, Iblis resolved to misguide mankind, and since then the jinn have been persistently trying to mislead man. They deceive with evil suggestions, beguiling, and making evil seem good." Maududi hasn't helped his cause. By trying to convince us that the jinn are not only real, but deceitful, he has condemned Islam. "The Jinn" surah reveals that jinn endorse the Qur'an. Maududi confirms that the Qur'an claims that jinn exist to "deceive with evil suggestion, beguiling, and making evil seem good." Therefore, the Qur'an must be designed to "misguide mankind," to "deceive," to make "evil seem good." Nice job, professor.

Now that we understand jinn, it's time to finish their surah. Qur'an 72:13 "So, since we [Jinn] have listened to the guidance (of this Qur'an), we have accepted (Islam): and any who believes in his Lord has no fear of loss, force, or oppression." If that's the case, why was so much of the Qur'an fixated on the ongoing oppression Muhammad endured? This leaves us with only three alternatives: Muhammad didn't believe in his lord, god was telling us a lie, or Islam's deity was impotent and couldn't protect his prophet. Perhaps we've stumbled onto something.

Qur'an 72:14 "Amongst us are some Muslims (who surrendered, submitting), and some who are disbelievers. Those who submit in Islam - they have sought the path of right path." Submission to god and messenger is the essence of Islam. Muhammad was able to gain what he coveted by threatening men with hell's fires, by seducing them with paradise's virgins, and by forcing them to into submission with jihad.

Qur'an 72:15 "But the Qasitun (disbelievers) are the firewood of hell." What sounds more warped to you: a god who turns his creation into firewood, or a man who threatens such nonsense to coerce others into submission?

Qur'an 72:16 "If they (non-Muslims) had remained on the right path, We should have given them plenty to drink that We might try them by that means." No matter how this is interpreted - it's weird. How could non-Muslims have been on the right path? How can drinking be a trial? And why try those who are on the right path in the first place?

The Islamic god isn't a very nice spirit. "If any turns away from the reminder of his Lord (the Qur'an), He will thrust him into an ever growing torment, and cause for him a severe penalty." Once again, it's "god" doing the thrusting and the inflicting.

If the jinn listen to and vouch for the Qur'an, why is Muhammad being told to say that he can't bring them to right conduct? Qur'an 72:19 "Yet when the Devotee stood up to invoke his Lord, the Jinn crowded around Him to listen. [The capitalized "Devotee" and "Him" refer to Muhammad as he was the only one reciting. And that's a problem, because to invoke in a religious setting means to call upon or pray to. This puts Muhammad on par with his deity.] Say (Muhammad): 'I invoke my Lord alone, and ascribe unto Him no partner.' Say: 'It is not in my power to cause you Jinn harm. I cannot hurt or benefit you, nor bring you to right conduct.'"

Before we hear what the Lord of the Jinn wants Muhammad to say next, it's important to expose the nature of this revelation. The Islamic god isn't speaking for himself. The "Say" format is Muhammad's way of speaking on his own behalf while keeping the semblance, or trappings, of religiosity. He borrowed the style from Zayd. Qur'an 72:22 "Say: 'No one can save me from God's punishment, nor can I find a place of refuge apart from Him unless I deliver the communications I receive from Him and deliver His Message.' [With that said, the remainder of this verse is supposed to be god talking. Ignore the fact it's written in third rather than first person.] Whoever disobeys the Lord and His Messenger then there is for him the fire of Hell where they shall abide forever." That's Islam in a nutshell. Obey Muhammad or you'll roast in hell.

Some might challenge my conclusions on the basis that I omitted "Lord." Fact is, neither Allah nor Ar-Rahman ever spoke. The only evidence of their existence is Muhammad's testimony. And since his story isn't remotely credible, we are left with the deranged ranting of an insecure abuse victim in pursuit of revenge via the Profitable Prophet Plan. You see, all Muhammad had to do was to corrupt a mere handful of lost souls with promises of stolen treasure. Once they obeyed, the pirate was in a position to force others into submission. And he did, lining the pockets and satiating the cravings of the desperate men he had lured into his company. Muslims became militants. The militants became murderers. The murderers became terrorists. The terrorists became like Muhammad. And Muhammad became more and more like the god he had created. The circle was complete.

Next we are told that god can't keep a secret and that the all-knowing, all-seeing spirit needs to have sentinels hang with his messengers to be certain his messages are delivered. Generals are known to assign sentinels, as are political leaders, but gods are supposed to act like gods. Qur'an 72:24 "Until they see with their own eyes that [Hell] which they are promised, they will not know who is weaker and less important. Say: 'I do not know whether (the punishment) which you have promised is near, or whether my Lord prolongs its term. (He is) the knower of the unknown, and He does not divulge His secrets to any except to an Apostle He has chosen. And then he makes a band of guards march before him and behind him that He may know that they have delivered the Messages of their Lord. He counts all things.'"

Muhammad's attempts at "religion" were feeble. The preponderance of early Islamic scripture was little more than an angry rant. Since this is pathetic, it begs the question: why bother trying to understand it? Muhammad was obviously a deeply disturbed con man, which makes everything he said irrelevant. Or does it? It wasn't so very long ago that another angry rant, Mein Kampf, was discounted for exactly the same reasons.

Though it is dark and twisted, understanding the Qur'an is essential to our survival. Muhammad, like Hitler, succeeded in seducing a sufficient number of misfits into submission to terrorize the world. They poisoned their victims with their doctrines, Islam and Nazism - turning good men bad. Consciences were eroded, minds were corroded, and the abused became abusers. They became like their prophet, der fuhrer. And the world paid a horrible price.