21/06/2024
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
The International Day of Yoga is a day in recognition of yoga, which is celebrated across the world annually on June 21.
Shaytaan had promised Allah Ta’ala that he would lead every single one of us astray. The devil is not satisfied with us being sinful only.
Allah Ta’ala being All Merciful, seeking forgiveness sincerely, wipes out our sins in a moment. Therefore, shaytaan is after our Imaan.
The traps of Imaan come in different forms. Yoga and it's offshoots are one such trap. Practicing yoga or the like thereof will lead a person to lose their Imaan unknowingly.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFUkD1FCCoVHLTfBA2A
https://www.ruqyah.org.za/
Consider the following as well as the fataawa thereafter:
Imaan refers to the acceptance of true beliefs and adherence to the requisites of Shariah. It involves both heartfelt conviction and verbal acknowledgment. If these align, Imaan is valid; otherwise, mere verbal profession without genuine belief is deceptive and false.
Kufr, on the other hand, is the opposite of Imaan. It occurs when someone doubts or rejects any commandment of Allah Ta’ala that has reached us through the Prophet (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam). Kufr can be based on five things:
1. Atheism:
Denying a creator and attributing everything to matter and its movements.
2. Taleel:
Acknowledging Allah Ta’ala's existence but considering Him self-existent without a purpose.
3. Tashbeeh:
Ascribing human-like qualities to Allah.
4. Tashreek Fiz zaat:
Associating partners with Allah Ta’ala in His eternal being.
5. Thashreek Fit Tadbeer:
Accepting other beings as partners to Allah Ta’ala in governing the universe.
Now, regarding yoga, it's essential to recognize its origins and practices. Yoga stems from idolatrous religions and includes postures resembling those of idol worshippers.
As Muslims, we safeguard our Aqeedah (beliefs) and Tauheed (Oneness of Allah Ta’ala) and avoid anything that could contaminate our Imaan. Therefore, practicing yoga or similar disciplines may inadvertently lead to a weakening of faith.
The Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) abolished practices from ignorant times and forbade imitation of idol-worshippers, even in non-worship related acts. Thus, it's crucial to be cautious about engaging in practices that may compromise our Imaan.
May Allah Ta’ala guide us to what is beneficial and protect our faith.
Aameen.
Hereunder follows fataawaa in this regard:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Yoga, according to the World Book lexicon is, 'A system of Hindu religious philosophy that requires intense mental and physical discipline as a means of attaining union with the universal spirit.' (World Book Pg 2421)
Yoga is a Sanskrit word (an ancient Indian language) meaning to join, or union. This was the name given to an art, which originated in the Hindu religion, wherein special spiritual exercises were done to give enlightenment to the soul and to ‘join’ the spiritual self with God. [1]
Yoga involves various exercises and rituals, but the most important and most famous of them is an exercise called Surya Namaskar [known in English as the “Sun Salutation”], which means in Sanskrit: “prostration to the sun on eight parts of the body”. And they defined these parts as the two feet, the two knees, the two hands, the chest and the forehead.
The postures adopted in Yoga such as the lotus position for example, were positions Hindus adopted when meditating in front of their deities and idols. In fact, the Hindu Bible, The Bhagavad Gita teaches the basics of Yoga and the philosophy behind it. [2]
As Muslims, we are sensitive to our Aqaaid (beliefs) and Tauheed (Oneness of Allah) and abstain from whatever would contaminate our Imaan.
A system or discipline that originates from an idolatrous religion, and comprises postures that resemble the idol worshippers is not permissible in Islam. [3]
There are many other permissible and effective ways to reduce stress and remove negativity from oneself besides adopting the yoga method.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Read more at https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/39966
Question: Is it permissible for Muslims to use yoga as a form of exercising the body and mind without using the "Words" but only the "Actions".
A: The Qur'aan and hadeeth vehemently prohibits us from adopting the ways and styles of disbelievers, more especially when it has irreligious connotations and its roots in their religions. In Surah Baqarah, Allah Ta`ala commanded the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu anhum) to refrain from using the word "raa`ina" when speaking to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Literally, it meant that they were requesting Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) to focus his attention to them. However, the Jews used the same word with the intent of vilifying Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as it had a derogatory meaning in the Hebrew language. Hence, since it had evil connotations Allah Ta`ala prevented the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu anhum) from using this word. Similar is the case with yoga exercises. Though, it may outwardly seem to be free from any impermissible element, but it has its roots in the Hindu and Buddhist religions, thus having within it shirki connotations. In the light of this we totally discourage engaging in such exercises.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
https://muftionline.co.za/node/16770
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Tawheed (Oneness in Allah) is the foundation of Islam. As Muslims we guard our Imaan and distance ourselves completely from any association whatsoever with kufr and shirk.
Yoga, according to the World Book lexicon is, 'A system of Hindu religious philosophy that requires intense mental and physical discipline as a means of attaining union with the universal spirit.' (World Book p. 2421). Hence, even though Yoga is used only as a fitness programme, it is not permissible
due to its close links with the Hindu religion[1].
The fact that it is recorded that yoga has its origin in Hindu philosophy which is based on shirk, it is not permissible for us to practice yoga even though it is now recorded only a form of physical exercise.
Read more at https://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/32704
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Yoga, according to the World Book lexicon is, 'A system of Hindu religious philosophy that requires intense mental and physical discipline as a means of attaining with the universal spirit.' (World Book p. 2421). Hence even though Yoga is used only as a fitness programme, it is not permissible due to its close links with the Hindu religion.
Read more at https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/17533
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
1. At the outset, one must understand that as Muslims, we are sensitive to our Aqaaid (beliefs) and Tauheed (Oneness of Allah). We are averse to Kufr and anything associated to Kufr. Hence, we are ordered to abstain from whatever contaminates our Iman and commanded to refrain from emulating the Kuffaar.
Yoga, according to the World Book lexicon is, 'A system of Hindu religious philosophy that requires intense mental and physical discipline as a means of attaining with the universal spirit.' (World Book p. 2421). The many postures implemented in Yoga are traced back to Hindu origin. Thus, any concept or exercise which originates from an un-Islamic belief and consist of such acts that resemble such beliefs, is not permissible in Islam.[1]
Accordingly, even if Yoga is used only for relief of back pain, it is not permissible due to its close links with the Hindu religion.[2] There are many other permissible and adequate methods to relieve back pain.
Read more at https://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/43331
