FatwaPenangCreed (Aqidah)
Fatwa Mengenai Kedudukan Senaman Yoga Bagi Umat Islam
Are Muslims allowed to practise yoga exercise?
Short answer
The Penang state fatwa rules that yoga, which originates from Hindu society and combines physical practice with religious and worship elements, is forbidden for Muslims as it may damage their creed.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Penang State Mufti Department
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Himpunan Fatwa (Warta)
- Topic
- Creed (Aqidah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The Penang state fatwa rules that yoga, which originates from Hindu society and combines physical practice with religious and worship elements, is forbidden for Muslims as it may damage their creed. The prohibition extends to any type or form of exercise containing such elements, as these contradict Islamic law. The ruling is based on the hadith on leaving what is doubtful, the hadith prohibiting imitation of another people, and the legal maxim that whatever leads to the forbidden is itself forbidden.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Senaman yoga yang menggabungkan amalan fizikal serta unsur -unsur keagamaan dan pemujaan adalah haram untuk diamalkan dan boleh merosakkan akidah.
Read the full fatwa on the Penang website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Penang State Mufti Department. “Fatwa Mengenai Kedudukan Senaman Yoga Bagi Umat Islam”, 8 October 2009. https://mufti.penang.gov.my/index.php/awam/fatwa-1/himpunan-fatwa#fatwa-mengenai-kedudukan-senaman-yoga-bagi-umat-islam-8-oktober-2009. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-yoga-exercise-for-muslims-10631/