Until the advent of materialism and 19th c. dogma, Western Civilisation was superior to anything Islam had developed. Islam has not aided in the development of the modern world; in fact civilisation has only been created in spite of Islam. Proof of this resides in the 'modern' world and the unending political-economic and spiritual poverty of Muslim states and regions. Squatting on richer civilisations is not 'progress'. Islam is pagan, totalitarian, and irrational.
The shorter Suras are just as incoherent and ridiculous as the longer Suras. But they were written during the Meccan period of the Mohammedan cult, ending in around 620 AD. When the Muslim cult was weak, Mohammed recited short, sharp, pleading verses, usually apocalyptic, or eschatological. The reason is not hard to comprehend. The Koran changes of course as the Muslims resort to Jihad, warfare, pillaging, killing and coercing. As they multiply in strength and voracity, the opaque pleadings and preachings are exchanged for intolerant domination, racism and supremacism.
Witness Sura 86, yet another example of Mohammed's early ravings, which clearly [to a modern reader as well as to the Meccan's] marked him out as a person with profound psychological issues. It is an ode to Al-Taareq or the the morning star, otherwise known as Venus as it rises in the East:. The key is the last 3 sentences. The 'Unbelievers' plot and scheme. Anyone who is not a Moslem is a non-Believer. But no worry, even if the cult of Allah is weak, he has a plan for he is also scheming. Therefore let the Unbelievers be for a while until that plan comes to fruition:
[86:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[86:1] By the sky and Al-Taareq.
[86:2] Do you know what Al-Taareq is?
[86:4] Absolutely, everyone is well guarded.
[86:5] Let the human reflect on his creation.
[86:6] He was created from ejected liquid.
[86:7] From between the spine and the viscera.
[86:8] He is certainly able to resurrect him.
[86:9] The day all secrets become known.
[86:10] He will have no power, nor a helper.
[86:11] By the sky that returns (the water).
[86:12] By the earth that cracks (to grow plants).
[86:13] This is a serious narration.
[86:14] Not to be taken lightly.
[86:17] Just respite the disbelievers a short respite.
This is yet another verse telling us that the human is but a drop of sperm formed by the Allah-thing into a human. Without Allah the human is worthless and pointless. Only the dialectical force called Allah can give us meaning and purpose. Also note that the Koran is a serious piece of business of course. Allah said so. He will plot and scheme so the Believers just have to be patience. Though the Unbelievers plot against Allah it will avail them nothing. Moslems can wait forever. The Unbeliever will not be as patient. This is a 'serious narration'.
Maybe it is. Or maybe it is just a cult in its formative stages justifying itself and predicting the end of those who oppose Mohammed's intolerant little band of unmerry Allah-worshippers.
[Note: This sura is taken from 'The Holy Quran', translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, reprinted in 1995, Goodword Books. Regarded as one of the best translations from Arabic to English of the Koran.]