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Almost 25 years ago, the noted American psychologist Dr. M. Scott Peck wrote a book in which he attempted to characterize human evil. The book was titled People of the Lie, and it is still available for sale in stores and on-line. While he made brief allusions to the German Nazis and other extremist ideologies, Dr. Peck did not connect human evil with Islamic doctrine. However, using his perspectives on human evil, it is easy to see evil in many pronouncements by Muhammad and the Quran:
Evil is distinguished by:
Evil is distinguished by:
*]a) consistent destructive, scapegoating behavior, which may often be quite subtle.
b) excessive, albeit usually covert, intolerance to criticism . . .
c) pronounced concern with a public image and self-image of respectability . .
d) intellectual deviousness . . (p. 126-129)
Here’s one example:
Scapegoating Projecting Evil unto Others.
A predominant characteristic, however, of the behavior of those I call evil is scapegoating. Because in their hearts they consider themselves above reproach, they must lash out at anyone who does reproach them. They sacrifice others to preserve their self-image of perfection. . . Scapegoating works through a mechanism psychiatrists call projection. . . Since they must deny their own evil, they must perceive others as bad. They project their own evil onto the world. They never think of themselves as evil; on the other hand, they consequently see much evil in others. (p. 73-74)
Intolerance of Criticism
The evil hate the light – the light of goodness that shows them up, the light of scrutiny that exposes them, the light of truth that penetrates their deception. (p. 77)
*][The biographies of Muhammad by Ishaq and al-Tabari contain accounts of several poets in Medina who were murdered because their poems criticizing Muhammad. They include Ka’b b. al-Ashraf, Abu Afak (a 120 year old Jew), Asma bint Marwan (a mother of five who was stabbed at night with a child asleep on her breast), and two slave women.]
The evil are “the people of the lie,” deceiving others as they also build layer upon layer of self-deception. [W]hile evil people are still to be feared, they are also to be pitied. Forever fleeing the light of self-exposure and the voice of their own conscience, they are the most frightened of human beings. (p. 66-67)
*]You must not speak ill of God’s apostle, nor shall you ever wed his wives after him; this would be a grave offense in the sight of Allah. (Surah 33:54
*]Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number. (Surah 5:51)
Say: ‘People of the Book [Jews], is it not that you hate us only because we believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us and to others before, and because most of you are evil doers?’
Say: ‘Shall I tell you who will receive a worse reward from Allah? Those whom Allah has cursed and with whom He has been angry, transforming them into apes and swine, and those who serve the devil. (Surah 5:59)
As has been noted, it is characteristic of those who are evil to judge others as evil. Unable to acknowledge their own imperfections, they must explain away their flaws by blaming others. And, if necessary, they will even destroy others in the name of righteousness. (p. 255)
See the whole article here and judge for yourself if this does or does not apply to Muhammad and the Quran.
Vickie
