Author: Mohajer Azizi
Scientology; Its Origins and Beliefs (part 23)
1. Critique and Refutation of the “Belief in the Influence of Engrams” from the Islamic Perspective (Continued)
In what follows, the beliefs related to engrams and the mind are presented and then examined critically from the Islamic point of view:
First:
Scientologists believe that all human problems and sufferings are caused by contamination with engrams. As a result, in their view, a person does not actually commit sin, and moral reform is achieved only by clearing engrams, not through repentance and returning to Allah.
However, from the Islamic perspective, there is no such thing as an engram (recorded mental pain or impurity) in the human mind, nor is the mind divisible into separate sections as Hubbard claimed. This theory is purely Hubbard’s own construction and has not been scientifically confirmed; rather, it has faced strong criticism and rejection from scholars.
The Scientology claim that “a human being does not sin but is only polluted by engrams” is completely false. Islam considers sin to be a voluntary act committed by free will, for which a person is fully responsible. Allah the Exalted says: كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ رَهِينَةٌ [1] Translation: “Every soul is held in pledge for what it has earned.”
This verse clearly shows that every person is accountable for their own actions. If a person commits evil, they shape a bad destiny for themselves; if they do good, they shape a good destiny. Thus, human destiny is tied to deeds, not to engrams.
Moreover, the word kasabat (earned) in the verse refers to deliberate, conscious action, not to an unconscious psychological reaction. If sin were merely a mental disorder, this verse would lose its meaning, since no one would be responsible for their actions, and everything would be blamed on engrams.
In many verses of the Qur’an, the harmful effects of sin on individual and social life are clearly mentioned. Allah the Exalted says: ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ [2] Translation: “Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what people’s hands have earned, so that He may let them taste part of what they have done, that perhaps they may return.”
This verse shows that sin leads to corruption on land and sea and negatively affects the destiny of individuals and nations—contrary to Scientology, which attributes all suffering and hardship solely to engrams.
Allah the Exalted also says: وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَى [3] Translation: “Whoever turns away from My remembrance will have a distressed life, and We will raise him blind on the Day of Resurrection.”
This verse clearly indicates that distancing oneself from Allah’s remembrance and obedience leads to physical and spiritual hardship. This directly contradicts Scientology, which ignores the role of sin and moral behavior and attributes all suffering to engrams.
The Prophet (PBUH) also confirmed the harmful effects of sin on both the heart and the soul. He said: “إنَّ العبدَ إذا أخطأ خطيئة، نُكِتَتْ في قلبه نُكْتةٌ سوداء، فإذا هو نَزعَ واستغفر وتاب سُقِلَ قلبُه، وإن عاد زِيْدَ فيها، حتى تعلو قلبَه، وهو الرَّانُ الذي ذَكَر الله: «كَلَّا بَلْ رَانَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ”[4] Translation: “When a servant commits a sin, a black dot is placed on his heart. If he refrains, seeks forgiveness, and repents, his heart is polished. But if he returns to sin, it increases until it covers the heart entirely. That is the ‘rust’ which Allah mentioned: ‘Rather, what they used to earn has rusted their hearts.’”
Islamic scholars have also spoken about the destructive effects of sin. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Sin brings darkness to the heart, blackness to the face, weakness to the body, reduction in provision, and hatred in the hearts of people.”
It is even reported from one of the righteous predecessors: “When I disobey Allah, I see its effect in my family and even in my riding animal.” [5]
Thus, from the Islamic viewpoint, sins and moral choices clearly affect human destiny, body, mind, family, and society. The concept of engrams has no basis in Islam, and claiming their decisive influence is an unfounded and imaginary assertion with no scientific or religious support.
Second:
Scientology ignores the role of the nafs al-ammārah (the soul that commands evil), satanic whispers, moral struggle, and human will, and denies their impact on human destiny.
Islam, however, considers these factors to be central causes of error and deviation. Allah the Exalted says about the commanding soul: إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ [6] Translation: “Indeed, the soul constantly commands to evil.”
Allah the Exalted also says regarding Satan: الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ [7] Translation: “Satan threatens you with poverty and commands you to immorality.”
Thus, the soul and Satan play a major role in leading people to sin and shaping a negative destiny—unlike Scientology, which blames everything on engrams.
Third:
In Scientology, the role of Allah in guidance and reform is completely denied. They believe that human reform is achieved through Dianetics, auditing, and mental techniques.
In Islam, guidance comes only from Allah: وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ [8] Translation: “And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.”
Peace of mind and heart comes through remembrance of Allah: أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ [9] Translation: “Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
Allah the Exalted also says: “فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا (۱۰) يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا (11) وَيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ أَنْهَارًا” [10] Translation: “So I said: Seek forgiveness from your Lord; indeed, He is Ever-Forgiving. He will send down rain upon you abundantly, and provide you with wealth and children, and grant you gardens and rivers.”
This shows that forgiveness, repentance, and obedience bring ease, provision, and inner peace—contrary to Scientology’s claim that mental purification depends on removing engrams.
Islam teaches purification through worship and piety: قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا * وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسَّاهَا [11] Translation: “Successful is the one who purifies it and ruined is the one who corrupts it.”
True success, therefore, lies in faith, worship, repentance, and moral struggle—not in imaginary engrams or mental techniques.
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Al-Muddaththir: 38.
[2]. Ar-Rūm: 41.
[3]. Ṭā-Hā: 124.
[4]. Sunan al-Tirmidhī, no. 3334.
[5]. Al-Jawāb al-Kāfī, p. 105.
[6]. Yūsuf: 53.
[7]. Al-Baqarah: 268.
[8]. An-Nūr: 46.
[9]. Ar-Ra‘d: 28.
[10]. Nūḥ: 10–12.
[11]. Ash-Shams: 9–10.
