Prayer, Destiny, and Divine Power in Anime Re:Creators — Reflections of Islamic Teachings in Fictional Worlds

Prayer, Destiny, and Divine Power in Anime Re:Creators — Reflections of Islamic Teachings in Fictional Worlds - Anime as a form of entertainment is often seen merely as an escape from reality. However, in some cases, anime becomes a medium for profound philosophical and spiritual reflection. One such example can be found in the anime Re:Creators, which symbolically explores important concepts in Islamic teachings, particularly concerning destiny and prayer.

One of the most powerful examples appears in episode 18, when Blitz, one of the main characters, finally meets his creator, Suruga Shunma. This meeting is not only emotional but also rich in philosophical meaning. Blitz complains about the hardships he has experienced in the fictional world Suruga created. He questions why his world is filled with war, suffering, and most painfully, why he had to kill his own daughter as part of the storyline.

Suruga responds bluntly: "Because such a story is interesting." A harsh yet honest answer from a writer’s perspective. However, in a subsequent scene, Suruga creates a new plot twist in which Blitz's daughter is brought back to life using the magic of another character, Meteora. After altering Blitz's destiny, Suruga proudly declares, "I am your creator."

This scene serves as a powerful illustration that parallels Islamic concepts of destiny and prayer. In Islam, prayer is the medium through which a servant communicates with the Creator—Allah SWT. Through prayer, a Muslim not only submits requests but also demonstrates humility, acknowledges divine power, and hopes for a change in destiny.

Islam distinguishes between two types of destiny: qada and qadar. Qada is absolute destiny that cannot be changed, such as death, sustenance, and soulmates. These are determined by Allah and written in the Lauhul Mahfudz before one is even born. On the other hand, qadar refers to conditional destiny, which can change through effort and prayer, as Allah states in the Qur'an:

"Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves." (Surah Ar-Ra'd: 11)

Prayer in Islam is also referred to as "the weapon of the believer." In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"Nothing repels destiny except prayer, and nothing increases lifespan except righteous deeds." (Hadith narrated by Tirmidhi)

Returning to Re:Creators, Blitz’s change of fate reflects the idea of qadar — a destiny that can be altered. Through the will of the creator (in this case, Suruga), Blitz's tragic fate is reversed. Similarly, in real life, Allah can change someone's circumstances when they sincerely pray and strive.

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This idea is further reinforced in episode 19, during a conversation between two characters, Yuya and Shou. Shou expresses the belief that they should kill the creator, blaming him for the suffering in their world. However, Yuya counters by saying that the real villain is not the creator but the antagonist who manipulated everyone. This dialogue challenges the mindset of those who blame God for their suffering, without recognizing that their pain may be a result of their own actions.

In Islam, blaming Allah for one’s hardships is a reprehensible attitude. Afflictions may be tests or consequences of one’s own choices. As Allah states:

"And whatever strikes you of disaster – it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much." (Surah Ash-Shura: 30)

 

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On the other hand, the anime also emphasizes the power of optimism and spoken hope through prayer. In the early episodes, Satoru begins to give up on his dream of becoming a successful mangaka at the age of 29. But his colleague, Katagiri, encourages him by saying, "Words spoken repeatedly will eventually become reality." This is a simple yet powerful portrayal of prayer.

In Islam, prayer is not merely a request, but an act of worship. Allah says:

"And your Lord says: Call upon Me; I will respond to you." (Surah Ghafir: 60)

Beyond being an act of devotion, prayer has a significant psychological impact. Modern psychology confirms that prayer can calm the soul, reduce stress, and even strengthen the immune system. Praying with sincere faith gives birth to renewed hope, aligning with the concept of husnudzan (having a good opinion of Allah).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said:

"Allah says: 'I am as My servant thinks I am, and I am with him when he remembers Me.'" (Hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

In other words, if someone believes their prayer will be answered, Allah will treat them as such. Therefore, in prayer, belief and positive expectations of Allah are crucial.

Re:Creators is not merely a fictional spectacle, but a narrative rich in philosophical lessons that align with Islamic values. In this anime, the creator (Suruga) symbolizes the supreme power of God who controls and alters the fate of His creations. The characters, with their free will, struggle with their destinies and choose their paths. This mirrors Islamic teachings that humans possess free will (ikhtiar), but everything ultimately remains under Allah's control.

In conclusion, Re:Creators offers a profound understanding of destiny and prayer when viewed from an Islamic lens. Destiny is not a rigid endpoint but can change with effort and supplication. Allah has power over all things, and our duty is to strive, pray, and maintain good expectations of Him.

Through this anime, we learn that even in fictional worlds, values of faith and spirituality can be beautifully illustrated. Perhaps, this is one of the hidden paths of guidance that lie behind the art form we call anime.