Illusion and the Reality

Illusion and Reality

During several encounters with virtual reality experiences designed to be frightening, I noticed

that I remained unaffected. The simulated horrors did not evoke fear in me because I was fully

aware that they were artificial creations. At first, I interpreted my calm reaction as a sign of

dullness or emotional detachment. However, upon reflection, I realized it might indicate a

heightened sense of consciousness—similar to my experiences in dreams, where I often

recognize the illusion and alter events according to my will.

This realization deepened further when, in an Emotional Intelligence class, Sir Sahil discussed

virtual reality through a spiritual lens, connecting it to a Quranic verse. In Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

Allah reminds humanity that “the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and

adornment and boasting to one another and competition in wealth and children… and what is

worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion” This

verse draws a powerful parallel between virtual experiences and the transient nature of worldly

existence.

Just as virtual reality is a programmed illusion that momentarily captures our senses, the

material world too can distract us from deeper truth. Recognizing its impermanence

encourages detachment from superficial desires and a focus on what endures beyond this

temporal existence. If I were to stand outside this illusion and watch the world fade into ashes, I

would understand that salvation lies not in clinging to illusions, but in transcending them.

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Reference

The Qur’an. (Sahih International Translation). (n.d.). Surah Al-Hadid [57:20]. 

Fozia Ghafoor 

Emotional intelligence Batch 5