Is yoga permissible?

I am aware yoga is impermissible in Islam because it ties into the Hindu religion. My question is whether now we will consider this (its ties with the Hindu religion)? Because most people who do yoga are not even aware of the fact that it comes from Hindu religion. It is a form of exercise.

JazakAllah

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

Islam has given Muslims their own identity; it is impermissible to imitate forms of worship taken from other religions. In light of this aspect, we should understand that yoga originated from the Hindu religion, and was practiced as a form of worship. Even certain actions of present day yoga resemble Hindu forms of worship and are tied with Hindu beliefs.

Due to the above, one should avoid parts of yoga which imitate Hindu practices and should adopt an alternative. However, such yoga exercises which are not associated with any religious practice would be permissible to perform.

والله اعلم

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Zakariya Memon

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani