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 83:10 "Woe to those who deny, reject Our message, and repudiate. When Our Verses are rehearsed they say, 'Tales of the ancients! Mere fables of old.'" Qur'an 83:29 "The disbelievers used to laugh at believers. When they passed by them, they winked at one another (in mockery). When they returned to their folk, they would jest...but soon the believers will laugh at the unbelievers sitting on high thrones, gazing. The unbelievers will be paid back for what they did." That was as direct as it was unpleasant. Accept Muhammad or suffer the consequences. Dissent is not to be tolerated.

To avoid this hellish doom, submit to Muhammad and obey him. A drunken brothel shall be your just dessert. Qur'an 83:22 "The believers will be in Delightful Bliss: On couch-like thrones, gazing, their thirst will be slaked with pure wine." Muhammad not only created god in his image, he crafted a paradise that mirrored his fantasies. It was filled with thrones, free-flowing wine, perpetual virgins, ever voluptuous. And there were no mockers - "never was heard vain discourse, nor lying." And that I suppose would eliminate recitals of the Qur'an. Paradise indeed.