Is Yoga Haram In Islam? (All Clear)
Are you wondering if it’s okay to practice yoga as a Muslim? Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years, and many people are questioning whether or not it is permissible according to Islamic law.
Some people consider yoga as exercise, while others view it as a spiritual practice of Hinduism or Buddhism that goes against Islam.
The debate on whether yoga is permissible in Islam has been ongoing for a long time, and it can be hard to find a concrete answer.
In this blog post, we’ll answer is yoga haram or halal in Islam and what the different Islamic scholar’s opinions on this matter are.
Is Yoga Haram
The answer to this question is depends on how you practice yoga. If you do all types of yoga, like Surya namaskar (sun worship), which involves bowing and chanting Hindu mantras, then it is haram in Islam.
Also, if you do yoga because it’s a Hindu or Buddhist tradition, then it is also haram.
Yoga means ‘union to god’, and some Islamic scholars consider it as an act of Shirk (associating someone with Allah), which is haram in Islam.
However, there are also opinions from other Islamic scholars who allow yoga as an exercise or for its therapeutic benefits.
If you avoid Surya namaskar, any kind of spiritual ritual or worship associated with Hinduism and Buddhism, it can be permissible in Islam.
You can do some physical poses or asanas for the purpose of exercise, stretching, and relaxation without any spiritual elements attached to it.
According to most scholars, it is better to avoid yoga completely because even the Namaz (salah) in Islam involves physical movements and postures.
However, if one does yoga for physical exercise, relaxation, or therapeutic reasons, then it should be done with precaution and only with specific postures.
You should consider yoga as another exercise, like cycling, running, and other gym exercises, if you wish to practice it.
Lastly, it is up to you to decide what you believe is best for your faith and practice.
We would recommend if you’ve another alternative or don’t know what is wrong and what is right, then it is better to stay away from yoga until you are more informed. But if you can do it without contradicting the principles of Islam, then you can practice yoga.
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Why Yoga Is Haram In Islam?
Yoga is haram in Islam because it is associated with Hinduism and Buddhism. These two religions are considered as shirk (associating someone with Allah), which is against the principles of monotheism in Islam.
Yoga has been known to involve the worship of multiple Hindu gods, chanting mantras, and playing music, and these activities are not permissible in Islam.
Hindus and Buddhists invented yoga to attain a sense of union with God through physical postures, chanting of mantras, and meditation.
With time, yoga has become popular for its health benefits, but it still includes spiritual elements and rituals that are not consistent with Islamic teachings.
Also, some postures in yoga require a person to bow and prostrate, which is considered a shirk in Islam.
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How To Do Yoga Without Contravening Islamic Principles?
If you wish to practice yoga but don’t want to violate Islamic principles, then try following some of these tips:
- Avoid any Hindu or Buddhist spiritual elements and rituals. This includes chanting mantras, playing music, worshiping objects like the sun or moon, etc.
- Avoid any physical postures that require bowing and prostrating as these are considered shirk in Islam.
- Focus on simple exercises and postures to improve your strength and flexibility while avoiding spiritual elements.
- Make sure to practice yoga in a place free of religious symbols or idols.
- If you are taking classes, make sure the teacher is aware of your intention, and they do not ask you to perform any activities that contradict Islamic principles.
Importance Of intention (Niyyah)
If you’re doing yoga, you need to be clear about your intention and have an honest heart to meet Islamic law requirements.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “verily actions are based on intentions” (Sahih Muslim).
So, if you do yoga with the intention of exercise and health benefits and avoid any spiritual elements, then it is permissible in Islam.
But if you do yoga to worship any other deity or attain spiritual enlightenment, it is haram in Islam.
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FAQs
Q. Is it haram to do yoga?
A. It depends on the intention of the person and what type of yoga they are practicing. If you’re doing it as an exercise, avoiding any spiritual elements, then it is permissible in Islam.
Q. Is yoga halal or haram?
A. Yoga can be halal or haram, depending on how it is practiced. If you do yoga because it is a Hindu or Buddhist tradition or includes spiritual elements like chanting mantras and worshipping other deities, then it is haram in Islam.
Q. Is yoga a Haram fatwa?
A. Different Islamic scholars have different opinions on this matter, and there is no one fatwa that applies to all Muslims.
Q. Can Muslims participate in yoga?
A. Being a Msulim, if you consider yoga as just an exercise and avoid some poses like Surya namaskar and other spiritual elements, then it is permissible in Islam.
Conclusion
Yoga is a subject of debate among Islamic scholars, and it’s up to each individual Muslim to decide what is best for their faith and practice.
The important thing is that you should have clear intentions and avoid any activities that can be considered as shirk (associating someone with Allah).
Also, make sure to stay away from any spiritual elements and rituals that are associated with Hinduism and Buddhism.
You can practice some yoga postures for exercise, stretching, or relaxation, but make sure to be careful about what you are doing.
I hope your query is yoga haram in Islam has been addressed, and you can decide what is best for your faith.
