Q: A ruling issued by a learned scholar in Malaysia says that Yoga is forbidden for Muslims to practice. The scholar urges the government to make clear that Muslims must not practice Yoga. Please comment.
A: The ruling states that Yoga is traced back to Hinduism, and that it has religious and philosophical aspects. If this is the case, then the ruling is sound and religious scholars everywhere can only endorse it. However, many people practise Yoga today without being aware of any religious or philosophical overtones. They merely take up its aspects of physical exercise and contemplation. While these may be proper and beneficial to many people, the problem remains that as people advance in these practices, their teachers may lead them on to the philosophical or religious aspects.
Physical and breathing exercises, as well as contemplation, may help many people, training them to be relaxed. This is certainly beneficial, particularly because life today involves much stress. Islam encourages both methods. Many are the Qur’anic verses that invite people to contemplate on God’s creation and what we see in the world around us of miraculous aspects. The Prophet (Pbuh) lays much stress on ensuring that a Muslim should try to be strong. He tells us to teach our children to practise such sports as horse riding, swimming and archery.
All this shows that a Muslim does not need to resort to the traditions of any other religion. What we need is to be free of all restrictions imposed by such traditions and to follow Prophet Muhammad’s advice. We will be able then to overcome much of the stress that life presents.
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February 2009 |