Is Yoga Permitted in Islam?

#yoga #islam #religion

[viktorvaughn]

The "yoga" that people practice today is a whitewashed version of hatha yoga, it barely has the religious, spiritual and philosophical parts of traditional yoga.

[Starstruck-vu]

As a Hindu, back then you can say yoga had religious component to it, like prayers to the sun, but nowadays its for health. Yoga has always had a major philosophical component to it, like spirituality same way as Ayurveda (natural medicine). And every religion has spirituality. So this really depends on what others religion has to says and the individuals belief. I personally believe no religion should restrict individuals access to resources when it comes to health and wellbeing atleast.

[mohamadsaad]

One sheikh once said, if you are doing it, knowing full well you arent doing it for a religous purpose(to hinduism), thenn its fine

[Traveller]

I think meditation in its own is a mankind heritage and doesn't conflict with religion unless wrongly directed

[antoniomachado]

Really interesting debate. The same questioning happens in some Christian contexts

[yohanbs]

I like how people start denying yoga as a part of Hinduism. All the pose have some meanings like chakrasana.
I understand yoga has helped a lot of people and hope it continues doing so but recently I have seen people trying to form christian yoga ...
I mean wtf!

[SyedaSamanGulzar]

I am from Pakistan and I haven't heard anyone say not to do yoga it's not allowed in our religion. Instead there are many fitness coaches who teach yoga even on our national TV channels. But interestingly I have seen many Muslim friends from India who are against it. My social media friends from India often say that Hindu majority tries to impose their religious practices upon us. 😊

[patty]

I know a lot of Evangelical Christians who find Yoga to be problematic.

[Crazygirlll]

This is really interesting. I remember reading that the Prophet (peace be upon him), before having the words of the Qur'an revealed to him, regularly went to a cave to meditate. Kind of makes sense, I guess.

[quest...]

Your knowledge about Islam is superb, almost much better than our general priests.

[mahmoudelaskare]

Thank you for addressing this question

[dwapar]

All is One - to approach the One, all differences dissolve...behold! Only God is

[dekik.]

If it's from God no matter what religion it comes from, IT IS FINE, PERIOD.
No religion is above God.

How do you know if it's from God?
Does it create health, peace, harmony, prosperity and love?
Does it create fighting, arguing, illness rivalry and destruction?
Now you know which club you belong to.

Of course you first need to establish yourself in your own religion, let's say 10 years and than look around. Otherwise you'll confuse the heck out of your mind.

[Robespierre-II]

I find great beauty in the medieval and even early modern expression of Islamic civilization.

However, as much as I try to maintain a neutral open viewpoint on cultural differences (and succeed in the vast majority of cases) modern Islam continually presents examples of maladaptive illiberalism that I find either absurd or obscene.

Christianity was like this as well once (and in some increasingly small corners of the religion still is).

Worrying about whether or not yoga is halal is one of the stupidest uses of intellectual energy I've heard of in quite some time.

[Aanandlahar]

Every Spiritual or Religious pursuit is nothing but "some" kind of *Yoga.*

It means yoking to Divinity. *Yoke* is obviously cognate with *Yoga.*

We have 4 realities in life : Body, Mind, Emotion, and Energy.
And hence 4 possibilities of Yoga.

1. *Yoga using Emotions* - Singing Caroles, Qawwali, Bhajan, Salāh, Namāz, Shema to touch Divinity. It's called Bhakti Yoga.

2. *Yoga using Intellect* - Using intellect to touch Divinity. It's taught only in Hinduism, Buddhism (including Zen), Jainism. It's called Gyān yoga.

3. *Yoga using Body* - Using physical actions as a stepping stone towards Divinity - Seva, Zakāt, Charity. It's called Karma yoga.

4. *Yoga using Life-Energies* - Using postures, breath and mantras to touch the Divine - as in Hatha, Pranāyām, Hoosh dar Dam. It's called Kriya yoga.

[keekl]

Yoga comes from Hinduism. The chanting of "Om" (aum) while doing yoga carries sacred meaning in Hinduism & Buddhism.

[williamcashell]

Some Christians object to yoga being taught in schools. I’m not a religious person and am often at odds with some Christians but I do see their point. Personally I think you can be a great Christian and do yoga but I can understand with its strong Hindu origins it might not be every Christian’s cup of tea.

[Autonomous_Don]

Religions change and become outdated.

What’s left is what is meant to stay

[dewayn]

I feel sorry for individuals who listen to the religious hierarchy about what is right and what is wrong. It's almost like being a slave to ideals that restrict your movements spiritually. And these ppl chose be slaves.

[amarcamovic]

I'm a European Muslim and have been all my life, living in a Muslim city, and I have never heard of Muslims doing yoga. The very suggestion of "Muslims" doing it is offensive.