The Era of Illusion

“Know that the life of the world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw. And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and (also) forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but matter of illusion.”

( Glorious Qur’an سورة الحديد , Al-Hadid, Chapter #57, Verse #20)

Qur’an teaches us that the dunya (this worldly life) is an illusion.  That falling in love with this life is for naught because as the likeness of vegetation after rain … dries up and turns yellow and becomes straw eventually.  This life is temporary. It is a test and a trial. This life is hell for believers and heaven for disbelievers.

I feel this time in the world – this time in history shares a juxtaposition to this surah in that we live currently in the Era of Illusion.

My countrymen are brainwashed. The Oppressor is brainwashed too. The henchmen of the Oppressor are brainwashed. The gluttunous sports fanatic is brainwashed.

My countrymen are numb. My countrymen are numb save for the material that concerns them. My countrymen are numb save for their stuff and the world is so very far away – so far away they are not part of it.

They can’t be part of it. It’s so far away. They become un-part of it.

If it’s happening to them it’s like a dream; we can normalize bad things that happen to them.

If it happens to us – oh – whoa is us! Where is everyone to put out our flame?!  Damn anyone not hearing my cry – to them – shame.

They are evil. They are terrorists. They are millitant Islamist categorically fatalistic sick and diseased uber-terror-esque – oh so scary – somebody save me. They are the reason the world is awry. They are everything bad the idiot box says they are.  If I see it with my eyes. Blood and guts and gore – it matters no more if the idiot box doesn’t back up what I see and more.

Sold my soul to Channel 7.  If I put a coin in the Salvation Army box, I’ll go to heaven. 

Not my baby blown to bits. Have to make sure Johnny sits – on the travel team where I will cheer – louder than Billy’s Dad – heck, I’ll scream in his ear.  Not my baby blown to shreds. They’re all crazy over there – not my problem – let me take my meds.

Let’s post a picture of my lunch. Take a selfie with the bunch of guys I met at the bar. Talk about the weather and don’t get too far until my ride comes to take me home. Jam some music – honk the horn. Go inside – kick off my shoes. Put on the nightly news. Shit – they’re bombing each other again. Those mutha fuckin’ terrorists – they’re to blame. They should all rot in shame – and leave me to my world – would be better off without them. Grab me a beer – never fear. It’s all BS and football season is near. Jimmy Fallon will make me laugh before I go to sleep and do it all again. Same time. Same place. Tomorrow.

About the Author

About the Author: I'm a Writer, Speaker and Muslim Activist. I'm a former Board Member of the #MyJihad Public Education Campaign. Follow my blog at yasminareality.com or follow me on Twitter: @yasmina_reality. I'm also now on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YasminaReality Peace! More from this author.