Is Yoga As A Fitness Programme Permissible?

Question:

Are Muslims allowed to do yoga as a form of exercise and as a fitness programme?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykumwa-rahmatullāhiwa-barakātuh.

Yoga has its roots, origins and numerous phrases and acts inextricably linked with Hinduism. As Muslims, we treat matters of our aqeedah (creed and beliefs) with the utmost importance and without compromise. We are sensitive to issues of aqeedah and belief. We do not tread on any path that may lead us to compromise on our aqeedah or influence us in another direction. Yoga has the potential to do just that. Therefore, yoga is not permissible. If one wishes to look after his physical health, there are numerous other exercises that one may implement; exercises that do not compromise ones aqeedah at all.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.