MUMBAI: After having a controversial fatwa (order) filed against him for composing music for the film ‘Muhammad: Messenger of God’, Oscar winning composer AR Rahman publicly replied to the Indian Muslim Group. In the statement he posted on Facebook, Rahman, in a humble way, expresses his views about Islam and where he stands in all this.

The singer/composer began his statement with a verse from the Qu’ran: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Mawla (protector). And in Allah let the believers put their trust.”

Rahman then went on to say, “I am not a scholar of Islam. I follow the middle path and am part traditionalist and part rationalist. I live in the Western and Eastern worlds and try to love all people for what they are, without judging them.”

Counter replying to chief of Raza Academy- Saeed Noori, who said that if and when Muslims meet Allah, he might ask them why they did not try stopping this film, Rahman said that his decision was made based on a similar point of view. “What, and if I had the good fortune of facing Allah (Sbt), and He were to ask me on Judgment Day: I gave you faith, talent, money, fame and health…why did you not do music for my beloved Muhammad (sals) film?” he wrote.

Rahman pointed out that the film is about uniting humanity, clearing misconceptions and spreading the message that life is “about kindness, about uplifting poor, and living in the service of humanity and not mercilessly killing innocents in Allah’s name.”

He also highlighted that there is a blur between the real and virtual world. Rahman also expressed surprise over the unethical, unacceptable, and unkind remarks made against the Prophet. In his statement Rahman stated, “Let us set a precedent in clearing conflict with grace and dignity and not trigger violence in words and actions.”

The famed music composer ended his view praying for forgiveness, and to bless those who suffer in the world.

Rahman, a strong believer of love, has always depicted love and compassion in his music. His last solo project ‘Infinite Love’ was also part of his approach to the human race.

The fatwa issued by Muhammad Akhtar – the chief mufti of Mumbai – against Rahman claims that the film makes a mockery of Islam, and professional actors, including some non-Muslims, have been cast in the key roles. It was issued against Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s film ‘Muhammad: Messenger of God’ and its music composer AR Rahman.