Is Yoga Just Exercise or a Religious Practice?

Question

I’ve been thinking about joining a yoga class for health and fitness. Some say it’s just stretching, others say it’s linked to Hindu rituals. So, can Muslims do yoga?

Bottom Line

Yoga isn’t the only stretch, skip the doubt, pick pilates, swimming, or strength instead.

Quick Answer

Scholars differ: some forbid yoga entirely due to its Hindu roots, while others permit it if stripped of rituals. If it involves mantras, chants, or spiritual framing, it’s haram. If it’s only exercise, some allow it, but safer fitness options like pilates or mobility avoid the gray area.

Key Takeaways

• Yoga with mantras or rituals is haram; stripped to exercise, it’s disputed but tolerated by some.
• Islam encourages fitness, but it is better to choose methods without religious baggage.

Detailed Answer

Scholars have differed regarding yoga. Some forbid it outright, some permit it only as physical exercise, and some attempt to separate its practices, though this last view is considered unsafe and impractical. Islam values health and strength, and the Prophet ﷺ encouraged activities such as archery, swimming, and horseback riding, showing that physical fitness is praiseworthy.

Allah says:

“Prepare against them whatever you can of strength…” (Qur’an 8:60)

Religious Roots of Yoga

Yoga originated in India more than 2,500 years ago as part of Hindu worship. Practices such as sun salutations, chanting mantras, and meditative rituals were originally acts of devotion. Scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah warned in Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqim that imitating the rituals of other faiths risks normalizing shirk-based practices. Even if rebranded as wellness, forms like Kundalini or Bhakti yoga remain religious at their core, which is why many fatwas prohibit participation in classes that include chanting or meditation.

What Yoga Entails

The very word yoga means “union” with the universal spirit. Rituals such as Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) involve bowing to the sun on eight body parts, chanting syllables like Om, and repeating divine names of the sun. These postures and chants reveal how deeply yoga is intertwined with non-Islamic worship.

Islamic Ruling

Most scholars conclude that yoga in its traditional or modern forms is impermissible for Muslims, as its foundations remain rooted in shirk and imitation of idol worshippers. Some allow only neutral stretches or breathing exercises, provided all spiritual elements are removed, but even then, alternatives like Pilates, martial arts, or strength training are safer options with the same health benefits.

Reasons for Prohibition

The prohibition is based on several factors:

• Elements of shirk, such as sun worship and chanting.
• Imitation of idol worshippers.
• Potential physical or psychological harm.
• Wasted time on rituals with no basis in Islam.
• Practices that degrade dignity, such as animal-like postures or nudity.
• Links to occultism, jinn, and false therapies.
• Promotion of habits like harmful sun-staring or extreme vegetarianism.

What This Means for You

If a yoga class includes mantras or rituals, avoid it. If it’s only stretches, scholars differ, but choosing pilates, mobility, cycling, or swimming offers the same benefits without the religious baggage.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Anfal 8:60: Encouragement to prepare strength and fitness.

Hadith

2. Sunan Abi Dawud 4031: Hadith encouraging physical strength and activities.

Secondary Sources

3. Ibn Taymiyyah, Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqim: Warning against adopting non-Islamic rituals.
4. Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim: On avoiding imitation of religious rituals.
5. Islamic Fiqh Academy, Jeddah (1988): Resolution on Modern Practices with Religious Origins.

Modern Research & Reports

6. Fortune Business Insights (2023): Global yoga market valuation and growth trends.
7. Statista (2023): Data on yoga participation and revenue in the U.S.