I am going to post this entry bilingually, in Malay and English.
Fatwa Council says yoga with worshipping, chanting is prohibited (updated)
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
Fatwa Council says yoga with worshipping, chanting is prohibited
PUTRAJAYA: The National Fatwa council has declared that the yoga practice which involves three elements of physical movements, worshipping and chanting as haram (prohibited) in Islam.
Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said although merely doing the physical movements of yoga minus the worshipping and chanting might not be wrong in the eyes of the religion, it should be avoided as “doing one would lead to another”.
He said yoga has been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporates physical and religious elements and chants and worshipping, with the aim at “being one with God”.
“Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga and the council has declared that practising yoga when it comes all together with the three elements as haram.
“We discourage Muslims to do yoga as a form of exercise because it will ultimately lead to religious worshipping and chanting which is against Islam.
“In Islam, one must not do things which can erode one’s aqidah or faith. Doing yoga, even just the physical movements is a step towards an erosion of one’s faith in the religion, hence Muslims should avoid it,” he told a press conference.
He added that the council had come up with an edict on yoga as the matter was brought up to them following growing concerns whether it would be against the religion if Muslims do the exercise.
Recently, a lecturer Prof Zakaria Stapa of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Islamic Studies Centre advised Muslims who had taken up yoga to stop practising it for fear that they could deviate from the teachings of Islam.
Shukor said the declaration of yoga as haram was done after serious and indepth discussions were made by the council members who met last month.
He added after studying the matter, including the history and purpose of yoga where the ultimate aim was to “be one with God”, the council decided that it was inappropriate for Muslims as it could affect one’s faith.
Asked if the decision would draw flak within the Malaysian community, including the non-Muslims, he said the ruling was only meant for Muslims and the rest were free to practise yoga.
“The fatwa (edict) is meant solely for the Muslims to follow. The non-Muslims need not question or debate about this because they are free to do whatever they wish. It is the Muslims who have to adhere to this,” he added.
Shukor said once the edict was gazetted, it would be up to the state governments on how they plan to implement and enforce the ruling as religious affairs come under its purview.
“Malaysia is not the only country which declare yoga as haram in Islam. Singapore and Egypt have come out with the same edict as well,” he said.
He said Muslims must be careful as to not do things which could erode their faith, adding the religion strongly advocates “prevention is better than cure”.
“There are many other forms of exercise that Muslims can partake especially when the religion promotes healthy living and lifestyle. Performing prayers for example is a good form of exercise,” he said.
I am one of yoga practitioner (well not an avid one, but I have the experience) and I started early of this year and I enjoy it very much. But unfortunately, I had to stop practicing yoga for a while, because of
certain reason. Throughout my experience in practicing yoga, I never had any chants, mantras or Hinduism philosophy thought in any class I attended. All we did just stretching and breathing.
It is very clear and undeniable that yoga(Wiki:
click) has its root from Hinduism. But to specifically say modern yoga practice is directly connecting to Hinduism, I am beg to differ. I am not here to object the decision of Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan Malaysia (
nanti aku dituduh murtad and melanggar hukum Allah plak, nauzubillah), but I believe every
fatwas worth debates and intellectual, logical justification.
My concerns include:
1-Have the council check on modern yoga classes nowadays? In fitness centre or any modern yoga studio to be specific? I am pretty sure that there's no mantras, karmas or whatsoever or the so-called 'unification with God' is taught in class. Yoga class in Hindus temple is not considered as modern yoga classes, because I believe modern people who are not Hindus (especially Muslims) will not going to such classes (my basic assumption).
2-If yoga is prohibited, then what about taichi, qigong and other form of exercise which I believe has some roots of non-Islamic faith?
3-I have always look to Mufti Perlis,
Dr. Asri Zainul Abidin for Islamic view and thoughts. He is one of the muftis (I believe he still is, although he has submitted the resignation letter), thus I believe he is part of Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan and his opinion is matters. I am totally agree about his view of this yoga-banned fatwa.
4-They said Singapore and Egypt has banned yoga as well. I do not found this helping at all. Does that mean that Muslim can practice yoga when they are not in these countries (Egypt, Singapore and Malaysia)?
5-If faith and aqidah(Wiki:
click) is the issue, why programs about mystical behavior like susuk(Wiki:
click), bomohs etc. which definitely more faith and aqidah eroding in the mainstream media is not prohibited?
Just my two cents from my humble opinion.
Further reading about this issue, checkout:
Yoga Instructor DiariesRantingsbyMM
