I'm a Sufi Muslim, I would say. I believe in using the medium to

"I'm a Sufi Muslim, I would say. I believe in using the medium to create a good vibration because art is so important to society. Some projects I don't do because I feel that it's going to create a bad vibe. I don't do propaganda films that are anti another religion, anti-Muslim or anti-Hindu." – A. R. Rahman.

In these words, the great composer and artist A. R. Rahman speaks to the profound responsibility that lies within the creative process. As a Sufi Muslim, Rahman embraces the philosophy of unity and peace that is central to Sufism. The Sufi path, with its deep connection to the divine and its emphasis on love, compassion, and harmony, shapes Rahman’s artistic vision. His belief that art can create vibrations—good or bad—reflects an understanding of the power of expression to shape society’s collective consciousness. Art, in his view, is not just an aesthetic endeavor; it is a spiritual one, capable of touching hearts, shaping minds, and either fostering unity or sowing division.

Sufism, which draws from the mystical traditions of Islam, emphasizes the importance of love as a universal force that connects all beings to the divine. Rumi, one of the greatest of the Sufi poets, wrote, “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” This deep love for the divine and the world, coupled with the pursuit of truth and inner peace, is the essence of Sufi spirituality. For Rahman, the art he creates must align with these principles of love and peace. He rejects projects that propagate hate, division, or intolerance, for such creations distort the harmony he seeks to foster through his work.

The ancient wisdom of Buddha teaches that "words can create worlds", a truth echoed by Rahman’s approach to art. Like the Buddha, who called for peace and mindfulness in speech and action, Rahman believes that every artistic expression has the potential to either uplift or tear down. This responsibility weighs heavily on the artist, for as creators, they shape the vibrations that ripple out into the world. Whether through film, music, or literature, art has a transformative power that transcends the individual and touches the collective soul of humanity. Rahman’s choice to refuse to create works that could sow division aligns with this ancient wisdom: that art should be a means to unite rather than divide.

Consider the legacy of the great musician and philosopher Beethoven, whose compositions were not merely music but expressions of the human spirit in all its struggles, triumphs, and yearnings. Beethoven’s music, born from his own personal suffering and joy, conveyed a universal message of human dignity and resilience. His Ninth Symphony, for example, with its final “Ode to Joy,” calls for a world united in peace and celebration of the human spirit. Like Rahman, Beethoven understood the power of art to create a vibration, a tone, that could inspire the soul to rise above division and hatred, embracing love and unity.

Similarly, Rahman’s commitment to creating good vibrations is rooted in the belief that art must serve the greater good. This is a lesson we see time and again in history. In times of conflict, artists and creators have been called upon to lead the way towards healing. Think of Mahatma Gandhi, who used his platform to advocate for peace, or Martin Luther King Jr., whose speeches stirred the hearts of millions to rise up for equality and justice. Both men, through their words and actions, understood that the right message, the right vibration, could inspire change on a scale that would transform entire societies.

In Rahman’s refusal to work on projects that create bad vibes, we find the essence of true artistic responsibility. Art is not just a form of self-expression, but a form of communication with the world. When an artist creates with the intention to uplift, to heal, and to bring peace, they tap into a deeper current that connects humanity across borders, cultures, and faiths. Rahman’s choice to distance himself from projects that perpetuate hate is not only a moral stand but a call to all creators to recognize the impact of their work on the world around them.

The lesson here is one of responsibility—that we, as creators of any form, must be mindful of the messages we are putting into the world. Whether through words, music, or images, every expression has the power to shape our collective consciousness. Let us seek to create vibrations that bring people together, that heal rather than harm, that unite rather than divide. And for those of us who are not artists, we too can be conscious of the vibrations we create in our daily lives—through our words, actions, and thoughts. Let us strive to be instruments of peace, understanding, and love, so that together we can help make the world a better place for all.