At this point I would like to alter course. There is only so much ugliness one can endure without a break. So rather than dissect the remainder of the early Meccan revelations in their entirety, I'm going to provide a "Best of Muhammad" by subject. But first, a Maududi introduction: "These surahs were sent down when persecution of Muslims was near its climax. Their theme was to warn the disbelievers of the evil consequences of the persecution and tyranny that they were perpetrating on the converts to Islam, and to console believers. If Muslims remain firm and steadfast against tyranny and coercion, they will be rewarded richly for it." Islamic logic is funny, in a twisted sort of way. While mocking the self-proclaimed prophet could hardly be called "tyranny," today's most coercive and tyrannical nations are Islamic. They have become what they detested. As with the child abuse that gave rise to Islam, Muslims have come full circle - the abused have become the abusers. Even Maududi seems to agree: "'Allah will avenge Himself on those who persecute you by burning the unbelievers to death and casting them into pits full of fire.' The disbelievers will not only be punished in Hell for their disbelief but, more than that, they will suffer punishment by fire as a fit recompense for their tyranny and cruelties. 'Allah's grip is very severe.' If you are proud of your strength, you should know that Pharaoh and Thamud were stronger and more numerous. Therefore, you should learn a lesson from the fate they met. Allah's power has so encompassed you that you cannot escape His encirclement, and the Qur'an that you are bent upon belying is unchangeable: 'It is inscribed in the Preserved Tablet, which cannot be corrupted in any way'" ...although it does a world-class job of corrupting. The themes that follow are Muhammad's favorites. We'll start with a sampling of how the Islamic deity responded to those who challenged his prophet's credentials. Qur'an 84:22 "The unbelievers reject (Muhammad and the Qur'an); they deny and lie. Allah has full knowledge of what they secrete. So announce to them tidings of a terrible torment." Qur'an 84:20 "What is the matter with them that they do not believe, and when the Qur'an is recited to them, they do not fall prostrate in adoration." That was as direct as it was unpleasant. Accept Muhammad or suffer the consequences. Dissent is not to be tolerated. With the mockers warned, it was time to terrorize them. Qur'an 84:10 "Soon will He cry for perdition, invoking destruction, throwing them into the scorching fire. They shall enter the fire and be forced to taste its burning." The Hell Fire is Allah's resort for the rebellious - it's for those who don't surrender. But it was all for naught if the Islamic god was not. The following Allahisms are proof he wasn't divine. Qur'an 84:16 "But nay! I swear by...the night and all that it enshrouds which it drives on, and by the Moon in her fullness: you shall journey on from plane to plane." |
