The Islamic Ruling on Yoga

Answered by Shaykh Aboo ‘Umar Usaamah Al-‘Utaybee

Question:

The questioner asks what is the ruling on the one who does Yoga exercises?

Answer:

If he is ignorant then he is to be taught. If he is upon their belief system then he is a pagan. This is because yoga exercises are nothing more than the worship of the sun. Therefore, this is from the polytheistic acts of worship. So they do it in the form of exercise but it is from those things which are, in reality, worship with the pagans. So YOGA IS HARAAM! And it is from polytheism.

However, he who is ignorant and blindly following then he is to be taught and it is to be clarified to him. After being taught, if he does it believing in it then he has disbelieved. If he does it just for exercise then this person is a Faasiq (evil-doer) who is near to becoming a disbeliever. So take heed to this, may Allaah safeguard you. And Allaah knows best.

Translated by Raha ibn Donald Batts

Source: www.salaf-us-saalih.com