Yoga is widely practiced around the world today as a form of exercise and meditation. It is often marketed as a path to physical well-being, mental peace, and stress relief. However, for Muslims, the permissibility of practicing yoga is not merely a physical or medical issue it is a religious matter rooted in the principles of Tawheed (Islamic monotheism).
This article explores the historical background of yoga, its spiritual and religious underpinnings, and how it aligns or conflicts with Islamic beliefs. It also highlights major fatwas issued by Islamic scholars and councils regarding yoga and why it is considered shirk (polytheism) and haram (forbidden) for Muslims.
Historical and Religious Origins of Yoga
Yoga originated in ancient India and is deeply connected with Hindu philosophy and spirituality. It is not simply a set of physical exercises but a complete spiritual system aimed at liberation (moksha) and union with the divine.
Textual Sources: The foundational texts of yoga include the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Etymology: The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning “to unite,” referring to the union of the individual soul (Atman) with the universal soul (Brahman).
Purpose: In Hinduism, yoga is a spiritual path toward enlightenment and the realization of divinity within.
There are different types of yoga in Hinduism:
Bhakti Yoga: Devotion to Hindu gods.
Jnana Yoga: Path of knowledge and self-realization.
Karma Yoga: Path of selfless action.
Raja Yoga: Meditation and physical discipline (often the kind practiced in modern settings).
The Spiritual and Ritual Elements in Yoga
Modern yoga practices often retain spiritual elements from their religious origins:
Mantras: Phrases like “Om,” “So Hum,” or names of Hindu deities such as Shiva, Krishna, or Vishnu are chanted during sessions.
Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation): A sequence of postures performed in reverence to the sun god (Surya), which is a direct form of sun worship.
Meditation and Breath Control (Pranayama): Aimed at awakening the kundalini a supposed divine energy coiled at the base of the spine, a concept foreign and incompatible with Islamic Beliefs.
Chakras: Yoga also teaches about the existence of energy centers in the body, which must be aligned to achieve spiritual peace.
These practices are not neutral. They carry a religious and spiritual significance that contradicts the Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) upheld in Islam.
Islamic View: Why Yoga is Considered Shirk and Haram
Islam prohibits associating any partners with Allah, as this is the gravest sin in the religion. Anything that contains elements of polytheism (shirk) or mimics non-Islamic acts of worship is strictly forbidden.
Key Reasons Why Yoga is Haram:
Shirk in Worship: Chanting mantras or invoking other deities besides Allah is an act of shirk.
Imitating Non-Muslim Rituals: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them”(Abu Dawood).
Belief in Inner Divinity: | Yoga teaches that the self is divine—a belief that contradicts Islamic Aqeedah.
Meditation with Non-Islamic Focus: Meditation in yoga often involves visualizing gods, focusing on chakras, or connecting with the “universal soul,” all of which are against Islamic principles.
Sun Worship in Poses: Postures like Surya Namaskar involve bowing to the sun, an act of idolatry (shirk).
Fatwas Issued by Islamic Authorities on Yoga.
Many respected Islamic bodies have issued fatwas clearly prohibiting yoga due to its religious roots and spiritual practices.
Major Fatwas and Islamic Rulings:
1. Darul Uloom Deoband (India)
Ruled that Surya Namaskar is a form of sun worship and is haram.
Stated that Muslims should avoid all religious and spiritual aspects of yoga.
2. Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt)
Permitted yoga only as a physical exercise and only if completely stripped of all religious or spiritual content.
3. Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta
Ruled yoga as prohibited in all its forms, regardless of spiritual or physical emphasis. Described yoga as a religious practice rooted in Hinduism, thus incompatible with Islam.
4. Majlis Ulama-e-Hind
Warned Muslims against participating in International Yoga Day or similar events.
Declared public yoga demonstrations as religiously impermissible.
Can Yoga Be Practiced Merely as Exercise?
Some argue that yoga can be adapted for medical or therapeutic purposes, without the spiritual content. While a small number of scholars may allow this, it remains risky because:
Even the physical postures (asanas) are historically linked to Hindu gods or rituals.
In most cases, yoga sessions in gyms or online platforms include subtle spiritual elements.
The intention (niyyah) behind any act matters in Islam. If it even remotely involves glorifying other than Allah, it becomes impermissible.
Better Alternatives: Islam offers physical and spiritual wellness through Salah (prayer), Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), fasting, and mental reflection (Tafakkur).These align fully with the core of Tawheed and provide similar mental and physical benefits.
Final Verdict: A Call for Caution
From an Islamic perspective, yoga is more than just stretching or exercise it is a spiritual practice rooted in religious beliefs contrary to Islam. Practicing yoga in its original form or even diluted forms that retain spiritual elements risks falling into shirk, which is the greatest sin in Islam and nullifies one’s belief if committed knowingly.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Verily, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives anything else to whom He wills.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:48)
Conclusion
Muslims must be vigilant in preserving the purity of their faith. While the modern world promotes yoga as a health trend, its roots are deeply spiritual and non-Islamic. Islam provides its own rich system of physical and mental wellness, which does not require borrowing from rituals that contradict the essence of Tawheed.
If physical health is the goal, Muslims should explore Islamic-friendly exercises, physical therapy, or even basic stretching techniques that are free from spiritual symbolism. As always, it is best to seek knowledge and consult trusted scholars when in doubt.
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