To practise yoga or not? For Muslims, that choice may not exist anymore. The most recent fatwa by the National Fatwa Council decided that yoga is 'haram' (forbidden). This created waves in the public sphere, and a little confusion. ANIZA DAMIS speaks to Islamic Theology and Philosophy professor Dr Abdulfatah Haron Ibrahim, who is a Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) aqidah (faith) research panel member.
Q: Do you agree with the way the fatwa has been worded, or what the fatwa makes haram?
A: When the fatwa council announced that yoga was haram, I was very surprised. Why didn't they tell me? I am a member of Jakim's (Department of Islamic Development) Aqidah (faith) research panel, but I wasn't consulted. But, since the fatwa councillors are scholars appointed by our government, we have to respect them. From their perspective, any action, verbal utterance or thinking that belongs to another religion other than Islam is considered haram. That is the fatwa council's view. Many ulama will follow this.
Q: And do you agree with it?
A: Whether I agree or disagree, this is the fatwa council's decision. I have written about yoga and Islam before. I know something about yoga. I'm not an expert but I know a little bit because I've read books and tried it myself. I prefer to write about it but not say haram or not haram. I just describe the situation. If people happen to read my article, maybe they will have some idea of what I want to say. Maybe they would agree or disagree -- it's up to them; I cannot force them. What I can do is write what I think about yoga. Personally, if I had been in the council's position, I wouldn't have said that (it is haram). Why create trouble?
Q: What was your study about?
A: The research was about happiness. How to live happily in this world. Yoga's way says you are not happy because you love worldly things. Because you don't get it, you are unhappy and frustrated. So, yoga says forget about it. Since this is the reason why you are unhappy, renounce it and you will be happy. This is the Hindu-Buddhist yoga philosophy. It is odd. As a child in Kelantan, I used to watch Buddhist monks going round every morning and evening, begging for food, because they had no food in their temple. This is contrary to the teachings in Islam. Islam says since you need food, shelter and clothes, you have to work. And, Islam encourages you to be rich. If you want to run away from unhappiness, it is as if you want to run away from your own shadow, because this is part of the natural life of everyone. Also, the ultimate aim of yoga is to reach nirvana; that is, to become united with God. This is the concept of wahdat al-wujud, which is against the teachings of Islam.
Q: What about people who just do yoga as an exercise?
A: Who can guarantee that you will not go a bit further? Can you guarantee that you will not go further?
Q: But what if you are a fully-practising Muslim and all you are doing is exercising? If you keep God and religion in your heart, how is it possible to go astray?
A: Prevention is better than cure. There are many books on yoga, and anyone can read it. A person might want to learn more about yoga, or attempt to do it correctly. And then, consciously or unconsciously, you might go a step further. That is all. But, if you guarantee that you will not go further (than asana yoga), then, no problem. But, there is no guarantee for everyone. Unless, a teacher or monitor is keeping an eye on what you must and must not do. I have had the advantage of yoga exercise. But is this the only choice of exercise available?
Q: If an exercise involves yoga but it is used as an exercise for physiotherapeutic recovery, is it yoga or is it not? And would it be acceptable?
A: The rule in Islam is simple. For instance, if you are very hungry and the only food is pork, you can take it, on the basis of darurat (necessity). If a group of physicians unanimously agrees that this is the true medicine to relieve or cure what you suffer from, then under the rule of darurat, it's okay. It is no longer a matter of religion, it's a matter of darurat. But if there is a halal alternative, why not try that?
Q: What do you think of the mufti of Perlis' opinion that the exercise bereft of the mantra should be allowed?
A: This young man is very young and very vocal. It is his own opinion. They are not united now. That's why, from the very beginning, I say, personally, I would keep quiet about it, especially if you are not well-informed about the nature of Hinduism and yoga in particular. Ulama need a lot of ideas and knowledge, not only about Islam, but also about other religions as well. If I were in their position, I would not make the fatwa, because most of the people are not well-educated or well-informed about yoga or Hindu belief. They only know Thaipusam and Deepavali -- these are celebrations. If the thing had come to me, I would have stopped it; done a survey first. Why did they make yoga haram? And I have received many phone calls querying the fatwa, and I have to defend them (the council); although I regret that they did this.
Q: What would you have surveyed first?
A: To what extent are Muslims involved in yoga. Personally, I don't know. I think it is not widespread.
Q: Now, as we can see, there are still disagreements between the respective states on whether or not they want to gazette the fatwa. When you come up with a fatwa that so many people disagree with, does it mean the people are ignorant, or does it mean that the fatwa was ill-advised?
A: I have no opinion. I think this fatwa has been spoiled. Now the whole of Malaysia knows about "fatwa yoga haram" -- even the many Malays who had not even heard of yoga before, like the kampung folk who asked "Apa benda tu yoga?" (What is yoga?) have been exposed to this issue. Everybody now knows that word, even though they don't understand the meaning of it. Anyone who masuk campur (pokes his nose in) in this fatwa needs to be well-informed and truly understand the philosophy of yoga. And they have to study Hinduism. But I think very few people have that knowledge. But being a member of the aqidah committee, I must speak the truth. The fatwa council's view is correct, that to imitate another religion is haram. But if you do it simply, privately and quietly, we should not bring it into any discussion.
Q: Now it seems that the easiest way to save yourself is to abstain from everything.
A: No, we have to do something. But before we do it, we have to do it correctly. For instance, you tell yourself you need to do yoga exercise. But why do you need yoga exercise when there are many other types of exercise? Why do you choose yoga? What is your objective? Is it your objective to improve your blood circulation, reduce blood pressure and heart disease, and do you believe yoga is good for this? Then we must call in medical experts to carry out studies and when they come to a conclusion, they can declare it to the world whether this exercise is the way to be cured.
Q: Practising Muslims who practised yoga felt hurt by the allegation that they could become Hindus. They were insulted by the insinuation that their aqidah is so weak.
A: There are so many interpretations that come out from this. Every individual has his own way of seeing things and judging something. I was surprised why people were so interested in this issue and raised many questions about yoga, whereas yoga is not yours (Muslims); it belongs to the Hindus. This is Hindu teaching. But the thing is, even though you perform your salat (prayers), if you are ignorant of what yoga really is, you won't know that it is the Hindu salat. So, you perform your salat, and you also perform the Hindu salat. Are there no other alternative exercises? Assume that we accept the claim that we can get relief for certain types of illnesses that are difficult to treat. But this is not recognised internationally. So, it's better to get a team of experts to experiment on it. If it is true, then it will be a big contribution to mankind. But for now, it is not reasonable to make that judgment on a personal basis.
Q: If you, and you alone, were entrusted to come up with a fatwa on yoga, would you have made it haram?
A: First of all, in these circumstances, I don't know. But I would investigate how many people go for yoga. Based on this and depending on what has happened to them, I would decide. But if they practise it quietly, it doesn't matter.
THE FATWA
AFTER carefully studying various reports and factual data, the council unanimously agreed that this ancient Indian religious teaching, which involves physical and mental exercises, is Hinduism in nature known as wahdat al-wujud philosophy (oneness of existence; the realisation of identity between the Self in man, Atman, and the Divine, Brahman. "Brahman is all, and Atman is Brahman"). It is prohibited (haram) for Muslims to practise. The council unanimously agreed that whatever actions or conceptions that imitate yoga's teachings such as to practise the asana yoga or self annihilation (nirvana) is against the Islamic faith. Any physical activities which apparently are not Hinduism in nature are not included in this fatwa. Muslims have to be fully aware in order that their religious faith and practices will not be jeopardised. One has to be conscious that one of these three elements can affect a Muslim's faith: Belief in the heart; Verbal confessions; and, Actions in view of these elements contained in the teachings of yoga. Muslims are advised not to be involved in them so as to ensure that their faith is not eroded.
