The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

By Mohamed Miah

We live in a world where entertainment is no longer just escapism; it is a battleground of ideas, shaping perceptions, values, and even faith. Beneath the surface of billion-dollar franchises like Marvel lies a deeper, more unsettling narrative—one that subtly distorts truth and weaves doubt into the minds of millions.

Take Thanos, the infamous antagonist of Avengers Infinity War and Endgame. He’s not just a fictional villain but a carefully crafted symbol whose actions echo something eerily familiar, the Rapture. This connection, though seemingly coincidental, is part of a larger cultural narrative that has been unfolding for centuries—a narrative driven by deception, where what is good is made to look evil, and what is evil is disguised as salvation.

Thanos, the Snap, and the Rapture

In Christian eschatology, the Rapture is described as a divine event where believers are taken up to heaven, leaving the rest of humanity behind. It is an act of divine justice, carried out with mercy and purpose. Now consider Thanos, a self-proclaimed saviour who, with the snap of his fingers, causes half the universe to disappear.

At first glance, the resemblance might seem harmless—an entertaining plot device. But dig deeper, and you’ll notice something more sinister. Thanos, despite his clear role as the villain, mirrors aspects of Jesus, a central figure in the Rapture narrative. His “sacrifice” to “save” the universe is a distorted echo of Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity. Yet, where Jesus brings hope and redemption, Thanos brings death and despair.

This subtle inversion of a sacred narrative is no accident. It is part of a broader agenda to sow doubt about divine justice and to slowly alter how we perceive figures like Jesus. By associating the Rapture with cruelty and chaos, the story conditions us to question the very essence of divine intervention.

The Raptures in the Quran

The concept of sudden disappearance or divine judgment is not unique to Christianity. The Quran also speaks of events that bear resemblance to what many describe as the Rapture. These moments of divine intervention reveal Allah’s justice and serve as a warning to humanity.

One of the clearest examples is in Surah Al-Zalzalah:

“When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake,

And the earth discharges its burdens,

And man says, ‘What is with it?’

That Day, it will report its news

Because your Lord has commanded it.”

(Quran 99:1-5)

This description of sudden upheaval, where people are left bewildered and the earth reveals its truth, resonates with the imagery of global chaos seen in Thanos’ snap. The Quran presents this as a moment of ultimate justice, where every soul is held accountable for its deeds:

“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it,

And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”

(Quran 99:7-8)

Additionally, Surah Al-Qamar recounts the fate of past nations destroyed for their rebellion against Allah:

“Indeed, We sent upon them a [single] blast, and they became like the dry twig fragments of an [animal] pen.”

(Quran 54:31)

This verse reflects sudden, divine judgment—a pattern that has repeated throughout history, whether with the people of Noah, Lut, or Aad. In Islamic theology, these events are reminders of Allah’s ultimate control and the consequences of straying from His guidance.

The Distortion of Divine Judgment

In the Quran, such events are acts of divine justice tempered with wisdom and mercy. They serve as both warnings and opportunities for reflection. However, narratives like Thanos’ snap invert this, portraying judgment as random, cold, and devoid of compassion. By doing so, they strip away the moral and spiritual depth of divine intervention, replacing it with fear and chaos.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also warned of a time when truth would be distorted, and falsehood would become widespread. The increasing frequency of such narratives in media is no coincidence—it is part of the gradual desensitisation to divine truths, paving the way for greater deception by the Dajjal.

A Story of Twisted Morality

Thanos is not the first fictional character to play into this distortion. Across modern media, we see recurring themes where godlike figures are portrayed as authoritarian, detached, or even malicious. These narratives don’t just entertain; they shape our subconscious understanding of good and evil, often flipping them on their heads.

The Hadith warns us of this

“The Dajjal will bring with him something like Paradise and Hell, but what he calls Paradise will be Hell, and what he calls Hell will be Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim)

This is exactly what’s unfolding in stories like Marvel’s Infinity Saga. Thanos claims he is bringing balance to the universe, a perverse kind of “paradise,” but his methods and morality are nothing short of hellish.

This inversion reflects a larger cultural shift where rebellion against divine authority is glorified, and divine figures are painted as tyrants. These ideas don’t emerge in a vacuum; they are part of a coordinated agenda to desensitise us to truth and pave the way for greater deception.

The Dajjal’s Role in Modern Media

From an Islamic perspective, the Dajjal is the ultimate deceiver, a master manipulator who will lead humanity astray by distorting truth and morality. His methods are subtle, gradual, and pervasive.

Modern media is one of the most powerful tools in this deception. With its global reach and emotional influence, it shapes how we think, feel, and believe. By embedding false narratives into popular entertainment, the Dajjal’s agenda gains traction without most people even realising it.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Between the creation of Adam and the coming of the Hour, there is no creation that will bring greater trial than the Dajjal.” (Sahih Muslim)

This trial is not just a future event; it is unfolding right now. Stories like Thanos’ aren’t isolated; they are pieces of a larger puzzle designed to distort faith, morality, and the very concept of salvation.

The Impact on Faith and Perception

The danger of these narratives lies in their subtlety. Most viewers don’t consciously link Thanos to Jesus or the Rapture, but the subconscious impact is profound. Over time, repeated exposure to such ideas erodes the clear distinctions between good and evil, divine and demonic.

For believers, this represents a critical challenge. How do we protect our faith and that of future generations in a world saturated with such distortions? The answer lies in awareness, education, and vigilance.

Reclaiming the Truth

As Muslims, we must return to the Qur’an and Hadith for clarity and strength. The story of Jesus (’Isa, AS) is one of mercy, guidance, and justice, not cruelty or destruction. His return, as foretold in Islamic eschatology, will be a moment of triumph over falsehood and deception.

But until that time, we must remain vigilant against the subtle attacks on truth. By critically analysing media and recognising the hidden messages within, we can protect ourselves and our families from being led astray.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Hold fast to the Book of Allah, for it is the rope of Allah. Whoever holds firmly to it will never go astray.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)

Conclusion

The story of Thanos is more than just a cinema; it is a reflection of the spiritual battle we face in the modern age. By weaving distorted narratives into entertainment, the forces of deception are slowly reshaping how we view faith, morality, and divine justice.

We must not allow these distortions to take root. Instead, let us use them as reminders of the ultimate truth—that good and evil are not subjective constructs but divinely ordained realities.

The battle for the soul begins with awareness. Are you ready to see through the deception?