Understanding Muhammad and Muslims

Book excerpt: Peace cannot be attained as long as there are ideologies that promote hate. People don't naturally do evil. They do evil when indoctrinated. Good people do evil things when they perceive injustice. Often their perception is imaginary. Masses of people can be manipulated to believe that they are victimized. They then become filled with hate, seek revenge and commit atrocities while considering them-selves righteous and justifying every cruelty. Islam is one such a doctrine. Why are there no freedom of speech and no true democracy in any Islamic country? Why do they abuse and treat their women as objects? Why do all Muslim countries have dismal Human Rights record? Why they riot and murder innocent people over the silliest things? What drives so many of them to terrorism? Why they are constantly at war with everyone, and with each other? To understand Muslims, we must understand their prophet. Islam is Muhammadism. His biographers reported Muhammad used to withdraw to a cave and spend days wrapped in his thoughts. He felt spasms, heard bells ringing and saw ghosts. He thought he had become demon possessed, but his wife reassured him he had become a prophet. Convinced of his superior status, Muhammad was intolerant of those who rejected him, assassinated those who criticized him, raided, looted, and massacred entire populations. He reduced thousands to slavery. He raped, and allowed his men to rape their female captives. All of this, he did with a clear conscience and a sense of entitlement. He was magnanimous to those who admired him, but vengeful towards his detractors. He believed he was the most perfect human creation and that the universe was created because of him. Understanding Muhammad ventures beyond the stories. It unravels the mystique of the most influential, and yet the most enigmatic man in history. Muslims emulate their prophet. Only by understanding him can we know what makes them tick, and predict these most unpredictable people.