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”. (A ’slippery slope argument’ which i learned in Academic Writing, it is the same as when i say, i passed a Church, admiring its architecture, and the next day, i bath myself in Holy Water)
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”. (wrong again, it is mainly for health benfits)
“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. (‘makruh’ tak boleh ke?)
“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. (Yup, I am Muslim, I need someone to tell me what to do)
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. (How about fatwa on corruption? on racism? mat rempit?)
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. (then the legal limbo starts, what if there’s a non-muslim yoga teacher teaching a muslim on yoga, will she be prosecuted in shariah or civil court for “deviating” the muslim?)
“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. (I’m sure there will be quite a lot of business related to yoga will be close, now i know why some muslim countries are poor)
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. (dont even try to bring it to East Malaysia)
“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.
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Islam is for me the best religion. It suits a lot of people out there. I love how Muhammad (S.A.W) preach on better treatment towards woman, charity, environment awareness, on science, and most importantly the concept of God. When we are still divided by our race even now, here is this man, 1,500 years ago, teaching his followers about equality among races.Therefore, Islam is really ahead of its time and strengthen the point that it is a true religion and followed by billions of people around the world.
I disagree with the ban on yoga because its a form of exercise although as the National Fatwa Council said its from a Hindu religion. It increases ur muscle flexibility and can calm ur mind especially after a long day at work. Yoga classes are held everyday in my gym, and i dont even see the students will convert to Hinduism after they finish their class. What if they do anyway? well stoning them is illegal nowadays isnt it?, unless they make a ‘fatwa’ that we can stone the deviated yoga students.
where everyone around the world are progressing, we are going backward. and what a waste of taxpayers’ money. we need the National Fatwa Council to really potray that Islam is a religion of tolerance. Make a fatwa on corruption etc which will benefits the entire society. I believe Islam is a religion of tolerence and these people have hijacked the religion for whatever purpose they have. If it is their opinion that yoga can deviate a muslim from its faith, then don’t say that its ‘haram’, its like saying its the same status as murder in Islam. I disagree totally with this fatwa.
Oh yeah, who are these people who make ‘fatwas’ in Malaysia. they should be open to public scrutiny. what are their qualifications and experiences? Muslims in Malaysia should vote for who handle ‘fatwas’ since it can shape the mind of Muslims.
