Hollywood has produced many blockbusters, but few as exciting yet also thought-provoking as The Matrix, starring Keanu Reeves. I have noticed some rather interesting parallels between its major concepts and how Muslims perceive life and reality, based on their scriptures. I find that people often find it difficult to grasp such matters when explained in everyday terms, let alone religious terms, but how about Hollywood terms? The ideas of the movie were believable enough for countless customers who flocked to the cinema to see it, and also rushed out to buy it on video and DVD. Perhaps then, some of the ideas I want to convey will be made easier to understand and believe by comparing them to those of The Matrix.
To begin with, for those who have not seen it, I shall explain briefly what the film is about. It is some time in the 22nd century, and intelligent machines have conquered mankind, now using them to generate power for their own running. In order to keep humans unaware of what is happening, their minds are connected to a program that exactly mirrors reality as the humans once knew it. The humans think they are living full lives in a real world, but in fact they are in the Matrix: a reconstruction of late 20th century life. Morpheus, an enlightened human who has escaped the Matrix, explains to the film's hero, Neo (Reeves):
"What is the Matrix? Control. The Matrix is a computer-generated dream world, built to keep us under control in order to change a human being [holding up a battery] into this."
The first point from Islam that becomes relevant here is the belief that the world around us is transitory. It is not the true home of humans, and this life is not our full life. Rather, we are on earth for a prescribed period of time, say 70 years, as a test of whether we shall obey God or whether we shall succumb to our desires and reject Him. One way of looking at this situation is to say that God has created a "Matrix" for us in order to test our faith. He has given us free will and bestowed gifts upon us in varying measures. Those who pass this test will be admitted to Gardens of Paradise, bliss beyond imagination, to dwell therein forever. Conversely, those who fail will be punished for their deeds, but whoever has the slightest faith in God’s oneness will eventually enter Paradise.
"Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world . . . and the real world?"
The point Morpheus makes here is a very significant one. How can we be sure that what we perceive to be reality is in fact the true reality? People often complain that there is no way of observing the Hereafter scientifically, but as Morpheus says, someone in this world would be oblivious of another, more real, world. As far as many people are concerned, this life is all that is in existence. The only way to understand the reality of the Hereafter is through reasoning and belief. The comparison between this world and a dream is a very clever one, as both seem completely real until one wakes up and realises that it was all in the mind. Furthermore, the vivid dream is quickly forgotten. In a similar way, the believers will not suffer from memories of their toil in the previous life, nor will the unbelievers benefit from memories of the pleasures they once enjoyed. Morpheus also asks:
"What is real? How do you define real? If you're talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then real is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain."
This is a very interesting point, because it flies in the face of those who claim that matter is an absolute reality, and that nothing exists beyond that. Muslims believe that God created matter, but how do materialists explain the fact that what they perceive to be absolute reality is in fact mere perceptions in their brains? Even their brains themselves are part of this perception. What this demonstrates is that we are beings with souls that are beyond physical reality, as in the film people do not exist solely in the Matrix.
"The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us, even now in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes, to blind you from the truth."
This passage from Morpheus brings forward a new concept: that this life is a deception. The world itself is not evil, as God has created much good in it. However, Muslims believe that Satan wishes to deceive us into denying the Hereafter so that he can drag us down to Hell with him. He tries to delude us, using worldly temptations, into thinking that this world is all that exists. This may make you wonder: would God leave us to be tricked like this? The simple answer is "No." God has given us ample opportunity to learn the truth and attain His reward. First of all, He has given us the ability to use our bodies and minds to make decisions:
"Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?
And a tongue, and a pair of lips?
And shown him the two highways?" (Qur’an 90: 8-10)
As well as this, He has sent human messengers to mankind who taught their people about God and taught that He alone should be worshipped. They called towards good and away from evil. Some of these messengers, or prophets, are known from both the Bible and the Qur’an, for example, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, to name but a few (may God’s peace and blessings be upon all of His messengers). The Matrix brings forward a similar idea where Morpheus says the following:
"When the Matrix was first built, there was a man born inside who had the ability to change whatever he wanted, to remake the Matrix as he saw fit. It was he who freed the first of us, taught us the truth: 'As long as the Matrix exists, the human race will never be free.' After he died, the Oracle prophesied his return, and that his coming would hail the destruction of the Matrix, end the war, bring freedom to our people. That is why there are those of us who have spent our entire lives searching the Matrix, looking for him."
Muslims believe in many such enlightened people who taught their followers the truth about reality. The last of these was Muhammad (on whom be peace) who had the greatest mission: his was universal, to all of mankind. It is interesting that the quotation above speaks of prophecy, as Muhammad was prophesied as the last messenger of God in the holy writings that preceded him. By following the message he brought, the words of God in the Qur’an, we can be free of the deception of this world, just as "the One" mentioned in the film would free people from the deception of the Matrix. Just as they defeat the intelligent machines, we can defeat the Devil by seeing this world for what it really is!
Many people today are trying to spread this message, not for personal gain, but in order to save people from a Fire of which they are oblivious. Morpheus also talks of this concept, as he sees himself in such a position, a position of responsibility because of what he knows. When he brings Neo out of the Matrix and shows him the real world, Morpheus feels the need to apologise:
"I feel I owe you an apology. We have a rule: we never free a mind once it’s reached a certain age. It’s dangerous, the mind has trouble letting go. I’ve seen it before and I’m sorry."
It is certainly difficult to abandon what one has always believed about life and one’s position in the world. Morpheus too, is well aware of this fact. However, there are many people who have abandoned their false ideologies and embraced Islam: I know some personally and have read the testimonies of many more. The mind can in fact be freed at any age! The following passage is most interesting:
"The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system, and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inert, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it."
Muslims do not regard individual non-Muslims as their enemies; rather it is the systems of disbelief that must be defeated. Anyone who fights against Islam is its enemy, but still has the potential to become a Muslim and be forgiven for his or her past. There are numerous examples of this in history. Another interesting point that arises here is that most people are happy to go on living in ignorance, and would in fact put up a strong resistance to any truth that is uncomfortable. I know from experience that people put up barriers once they realise that Islam makes sense. They do not want to be removed from their zone of comfort, that of denying the Hereafter. At the end of the day, it is up to every individual to make his or her own choices, a point which Morpheus makes most eloquently:
"I'm trying to free your mind, Neo, but I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it."
Finally, we come to a character in the film who may well surprise most people. His name is Cypher and he is one of the humans who have escaped the Matrix and form a resistance movement. Cypher eventually betrays the others, and nearly destroys all hope of humans defeating the machines. What is the reason for his treason? He explains to his former colleague:
"I'm tired, Trinity. I'm tired of this war. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of this ship, being cold and eating the same @#%$ goop every day . . ."
The world of reality is far less attractive and comfortable for him than the world of delusion. This is paralleled by the fact that if we want to attain the real comfort and satisfaction of Paradise, we have to give up certain luxuries in this short, transitory life. A true believer is glad to make an investment for the Hereafter. Cypher, on the other hand, cannot handle proper obedience:
"Free? You call this, free? All I do is what he [Morpheus] tells me to do. If I have to choose between that and the Matrix . . . I choose the Matrix."
He prefers being "his own man" in the Matrix to being a real man in the real world. Unfortunately, many people today would prefer to obey their own desires than to obey God. They choose this life rather than the Hereafter! This is even more sad when they actually know about reality, as Cypher knows that the Matrix is an illusion:
"You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy, and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realise? [Sigh] Ignorance is bliss."
Despite knowing about the real world, Cypher chooses the Matrix. He revels in his ignorance! This is a wake-up call to all those who claim to believe in the Hereafter yet do not act as though they do. If there is truly a Paradise for us, then we need to work for it.
Despite all the similarities between The Matrix and the concepts of Islam, there are some significant differences that I should point out. The "real world" of the film is cold and inhospitable, and we have to wonder why anyone would want to be free of the Matrix. We can almost agree with the choice of Cypher, who preferred ignorant comfort to harsh reality. On the other hand, Muslims believe that any pleasure in this life cannot compare with the joy awaiting those who strive for Paradise. There really is no contest as far as a believer is concerned.
Additionally, it seems that the scriptwriters failed to complete their thoughts. We notice that the Oracle has the power of prophecy, but where does that come from? We see that there is a person with supernatural powers within the Matrix, called the One, but why is this so? We witness a "miracle" when Cypher is stopped from killing Neo, who is the One, but who performed this miracle? Clearly, there is a framework there, but the picture is not complete until we add the concept of a Being beyond both the Matrix and the "real" world, the Being Muslims call Allah, or God.
I hope that this article has served as a thought-provoking introduction to some of the basic concepts about reality believed not only by Muslims, but also by Christians, Jews and others. I also hope that it will encourage further study, and serious consideration of the truth of Islam.
"What is the life of this world but play and amusement?
But best is the home in the Hereafter, for those who are righteous.
Will you not then understand?" (Qur’an 6:32)
Note: Isa Islam
The only major difference between Christianity and Islam in their perception of 'Isa (Jesus) is that Islam believes that 'Isa (Jesus), the greatest of all the Prophets, was not killed when he was crucified, but was raised up to Heaven and will return at the Last Day to enforce true Islam (submission to the will of God), according to the pure version which he taught during his first ministry on the Earth (as Mohammed himself said). Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross, and was resurrected. 'Isa Muslims believe that it was only 'Isa's body that died on the cross, which made it appear that he was killed, but that his spirit survived and was raised up to Heaven:-
That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of God";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:- an-Nisa' 4:157
Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise;- an-Nisa' 4:158