Muhammad and People of the Lie

by Louis Palme (March 2011)

 

Some 28 years have elapsed since the noted American psychologist Dr. M. Scott Peck published 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.

Basic Premises Regarding Evil

Evil, then, for the moment, is that force, residing either inside or outside of human beings, that seeks to kill life or liveliness. And goodness is its opposite. Goodness is that which promotes life and liveliness. (p. 43)

[E]vil human beings are quite common and usually appear quite ordinary to the superficial observer. (p. 47)

If one wants to seek out evil people, the simplest way to do so is to trace them from their victims (p. 107 n.)

Fighting is obligatory for you, much as you dislike it. But you may hate a thing although it is good for you, and love a thing although it is bad for you. Allah knows, but you know not. (Surah 2:216)

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 . .

Consistent Destructive Behavior

[Note: Muhammad is reported to have had 20 wives and a number of captured concubines.]

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)

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)

Concern Over Public Image and Respectability

Intolerance of Criticism

We can see, then, that their narcissism makes the evil dangerous not only because it motivates them to scapegoat others but also because it deprives them of the restraint that results from empathy or respect for others. As it gives them the motive for murder, so it also renders them insensitive to the act of killing. (p. 136)

The evil flee both self-examination and any situation in which they might be closely examined by others. (p. 150)

Intellectual Deviousness

The evil always hide their motives with lies. (p. 105)

It was not you, but Allah, who slew them. It was not you who smote them: Allah smote them so that He might richly reward the faithful. (Surah 8:17)

Magical thinking can take on a variety of forms, but basically it is a belief that thoughts in and of themselves may cause events to occur. (p. 36)

Conclusion and Action

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