AR Rahman Changed His Name And Converted To Islam At 23, Got His Muslim Name From A Hindu Astrologer

Oscar-winning singer AR Rahman is currently leading all the headlines after he was rushed to a hospital on March 16, 2024, after he complained about chest pain. However, Rahman’s manager soon revealed that the musician had dehydration and gastric problems, because of which he was hospitalised, and there was nothing to worry about.

Rahman is the pride of the nation. He is the only Indian who had won two Academy Awards in 2009 for his incredible work in the films, Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours. Not many people know that Rahman was a Hindu and had converted after his father's demise during his teenage days. Yes, you read that right. Rahman was born as a Hindu in a traditional Hindu family. Let us read on to know what led to his conversion to Islam.

Why did AR Rahman convert to Islam?

Born as Dileep Kumar Rajagopala in Madras, Tamil Nadu, Rahman began his journey into music by learning piano at the age of four. His father, R.K. Shekhar, who was a film score composer passed away when Rahman was nine years old. The rental of his father’s musical equipment provided income to the family.

The responsibility of his entire family fell on Rahman, who along with studying, also did odd jobs for income. As he couldn’t stop working, Rahman would often miss classes and fail in exams. Do you know, once Rahman’s mother was summoned by the school and was asked to take him to streets to beg?

The poverty-stricken situation disturbed Rahman so much that he lost all his hopes. It was at that moment when he met a renowned peer, Qadri Saaheb, and was impressed by his values and teachings. Hence, he decided to convert to Islam at the age of 23, along with his mother and sisters. In a throwback interview with Karan Thapar, the musician talked about his conversion and said:

“There was a Sufi who was treating him towards the end days before he died. We later met him after 7-8 years and that’s when we led another spiritual path which gave us peace.”

AR Rahman got his Muslim name from a Hindu astrologer

Rahman and his mother were practising Hindus and had images of Hindu Gods on the walls of the Habibullah Roadhouse where he grew up. After his conversion to Islam, Rahman embraced his new name ‘Abdul Rahman’ as he didn’t like his original name Dilip Kumar. Do you know, Rahman got his new name from a Hindu astrologer? In Nasreen Munni Kabir’s book, AR. Rahman: The Spirit of Music, Rahman shared the same and revealed:

“The truth is I never liked my name. No disrespect to the great actor Dilip Kumar! However, somehow my name didn’t match the image I had of myself. He suggested the names: Abdul Rahman and Abdul Rahim and said that either name would be good for me. I instantly loved the name, Rahman. It was a Hindu astrologer who gave me my Muslim name.”

When AR Rahman had suicidal thoughts

AR Rahman’s father's demise shattered him to the core. It was the biggest shock of his life had changed him and had transformed him. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, he explained:

"Up until 25, I used to think about suicide. Most of us feel they are not good enough. Because I lost my father, there was this void... There were so many things happening. (But) that in a way made me more fearless. Death is a permanent thing for everyone. Since everything created has an expiry date, so why be afraid of anything?" 

Did you know about these rare facts about AR Rahman? Let us know.

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