In my last input I wrote the following words… “While looking back on my past inputs, I stumbled upon my thoughts on the animated Disney movie “Raya and the last dragon“. It made me consider the moral lessons we can learn, not only from this one movie, but also from other animations and I wanted to talk a little about that. I want to show some examples and the benefit we may receive from it”.
Indeed. I will first say that, as an adult man, I am not ashamed to admit that I am and always will be a child at heart, I enjoy watching different animations and find them very entertaining and enjoyable. Moreover, they do not only provide good guidance for children to consider, but even for adults. There are hidden messages, some actually very notable once you start analysing what you see. I would even say some of them carry Islamic morals as I am often reminded of certain ayat in the Quran while watching. I wanted to show some examples of that…
The movie I wrote about earlier, “Raya and the Last Dragon”, revolves around people that once were united but later became parted into competitive nations due to selfish envy. Indeed, that sounds like something picked right out of the Quran…
سورة يونس ١٩
وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ فَٱخۡتَلَفُواْۚ وَلَوۡلَا كَلِمَةٞ سَبَقَتۡ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ
Surah Yunus 10:19
Mankind was but one nation, but differed (later). Had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord, their differences would have been settled between them.
The adventure follows Raya in her search for missing pieces of a dragon gem in order to save the world. Her efforts rely on uniting the nations, the building of trust and working together to accomplish the goal…
سورة الحجرات ١٠
إِإِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ إِخۡوَةٞ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَ أَخَوَيۡكُمۡۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ
Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:10
The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy.
Another movie, (called “Zootropolis” in Europe, but “Zootopia” in America), has, although containing a different story, a message of a similar nature… unity despite differences. It is one of my favourites. The following speech from the main character may give an idea why. Pay special attention to what she’s saying and then consider the aya put under it…
I am always affected when I hear those words. And it reminds me of this…
سورة الحجرات ١٣
أَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٖ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ شُعُوبٗا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٞ
Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:13
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
That is an important message. As it happens, there is a second “Zootropolis/Zootopia” movie coming out by the end of next year inshallaaah. Finally! I have waited a long time for such news, I am very happy about that and can’t wait for it.
There is another movie, where the main character is seen as bad by all the other characters. He strives to show everyone that he is not a bad person and that people should not judge him too quickly, that people can change. It is called Wreck-it-Ralph, and definitely another movie I recommend. Does it remind me of the Quran? It does…
سورة ص ٦٢
وَقَالُواْ مَا لَنَا لَا نَرَىٰ رِجَالٗا كُنَّا نَعُدُّهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَشۡرَارِ
سورة الحجرات ١١
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا يَسۡخَرۡ قَوۡمٞ مِّن قَوۡمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُواْ خَيۡرٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ وَلَا نِسَآءٞ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيۡرٗا مِّنۡهُنَّۖ وَلَا تَلۡمِزُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَلَا تَنَابَزُواْ بِٱلۡأَلۡقَٰبِۖ بِئۡسَ ٱلِٱسۡمُ ٱلۡفُسُوقُ بَعۡدَ ٱلۡإِيمَٰنِۚ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَتُبۡ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ
Surah Saad 38:62
And they will say: “What has happened to us that we see not men whom we used to number among the bad ones?
Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:11
O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong.
I usually enjoy movies that contain a deeper meaning. For those among you who enjoy animations, I’d also like to quickly mention that movies “Rio” and “Rio 2” are getting a third movie, inshallah. From Wikipedia: “after the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney, it was announced that a third Rio film is officially in development”. There is even talks of another “Finding Nemo” movie… “In May 2024, Pixar CCO Pete Docter suggested that the studio is considering making a third installment in the Finding Nemo franchise. He stated “Where else have we not gone in the ocean? The ocean’s a big place. I think there’s a lot of opportunity there. We’re kind of fishing around.”
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finding_Dory
(accessed on November 22nd 2024)
Indeed, it seems we have a lot to look forward to, inshallah. I am certainly excited. What about you, have you seen any of these movies mentioned in the input? If you haven’t, by all means, watch them. If you have, what is your impression? Do you agree with these thoughts? Feel free to comment.
For now, I would like to wish a beautiful time ahead inshallah. Make sure to not miss our next input coming out next weekend. I am considering between two interesting topics, but have yet to decide which one…
The best of times to you all inshallah.
Peace, happiness, and stay faithful.
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