Yoga Fatwa
There is a recent update on the Star Online since I posted this. Read here
I read on the The Star Online today that yoga is ‘haram’ if it involves physical movements, worshipping and chanting. What I take this to mean is that if all these three elements are in play would yoga be not permissible to Muslims. I always take from the point of view of intent, or ‘niat’. I believe if our intentions are pure, Muslims have nothing to worry about ‘corruption’ of their faith.
Yoga I believe has been around for thousands of years. While its origins may be linked to spiritual practice of the past, the current manifestations, especially those that are practiced in the west and in Malaysia, have been purely for keeping fit and healthy by utilising various poses or ‘asanas’.
I do believe Yoga now is such a commercial thing, it has actually been divorced of all spiritual and meditational origins and links of its past. It’s a billion dollar industry in the west, and I’m sure it’s a multimillion Ringgit business in Malaysia.
My point is this – if you are doing yoga for purely health reasons – then be confident of your faith and god is ever knowing. Go and do your yoga! Religious orthodoxy in Malaysia may be the bane of our existence.
I think it is far better in finding out why it gives practitioners vitality and good health; then maybe some other improved exercise methods can be developed. Maybe the academia may better divert their attention to this scientific endeavor. It’s the curiosity of the mind that encourages progress, not the closed and parochial views of ‘ignorant’ people.
