Why not Yoga for Muslims?

Malaysian and Indonesian Muslim religious leaders have issued a Fatwa against muslim practicing yoga. The leaders reason to have Hindu roots and that “It could destroy the faith of a muslim”.

True, Yoga is of Indian origin. But people need to look beyond that. Yoga is a science that helps in controlling body and mind. As an excellent form of exercise for the mind, yoga encourages relaxation through breadth control, meditation and striking body poses. Practicing Yoga regularly helps our muscle to become more flexible that makes it less vulnerable to injuries.


It is also true that many people practice Vedic Chantings during Yoga. Take for Instance the “Suryanamaskar” involves chanting of mantras or the divine “OM” and is considered as a salutation to the sun god by the Hindus. But the 9 -10 asanas or body postures practiced during “Suryanamaskar” us considered as the best form of exercise, that activates important muscles and points in our body to keep us going healthy and fresh all through the day.

Keeping the religious thing apart, yoga can be practiced as a good form of exercise. Breath control need not be practiced through chanting of “OM” but by just inhaling and exhaling as and when required. One should consider the overall advantage that yoga provides to the body and not brand it and set it aside for trivial reasons.

I think Muslims who are interested in Yoga should be encouraged to practice it as an good form of exercise, more than anything else.

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