I'm enjoying reading this discussion. I see it as an internal matter to the Ummah. You don't need me as an outsider saying this is right or this is wrong for Islam. I guess that is the Council's job and they have done so. But it is also apparent from the discussion that not every Muslim agrees with the council.

Originally Posted by doorster

what part of "Yoga is synonymous with Hinduism", some of you people are having trouble grasping?

I suspect it is the word "synonymous" that people are disputing. At least that is what I read in the above posts. While you may think that because something comes out of a Hindu culture and has elements of Hindu philosophy attached to it at advanced stages that it is therefore synonymous with Hinduism, to use the word "synonymous" means Yoga and Hinduism "have the same or nearly the same meaning." And it seems that many Muslims, faithful Muslims I believe, don't see them as being so synonymous. Thus they may be related, but not being the same, they can also be differentiated. And if they can be differentiated, the question that I see being asked by Muslims of their leadership, why link them? Why not differentiate them and help Muslims be sure not to inappropriately link them.

All Muslims might recognize the importance of not uniting anything with Allah, and perhaps because of Yoga's associations with Hinduism some people might see this as a risk. But one can deal with that risk in two different ways: (1) identifying the risk of assimilating Hindu philosophy that are parts of advanced Yoga practices and teaching people the proper way to practice Yoga as a physical exercise only without any accompanying philosophy; (2) Dismissing the whole practice as being an unnecessary risk. The Fatwa makes it clear that the second way is that which has been chosen by the Muslim leadership in Malaysia.

My only personal comment is that when faced with similar issues, which of the two ways of dealing with a problem I adopt often depends on the people I am dealing with. With adults capable of receiving and processing complex ideas and thoughts, I share the important issues for them to consider with them and then trust them to make decisions appropriate for their own lives. With children I typically decided for them and then try to educate them as to why. The National Council appears to have chosen to treat the entire Muslim population of Malaysia in a way similiar to how I treat children. It doesn't surprise me that some of them are upset.

If the Muslims who practice yoga claiming that their yoga thingy has nothing to do with Hinduism, they can meet the various state religious councils and ask for exemptions...

But, when non-Muslims started to protest it... it's way so weird... it has nothing to do with them...

It must also be added here that the word Yoga in Hindu culture is one of its two most important words, the other being Dharma. Dharma means harmony and points to the natural harmony in existence, the maintenance of which in human affairs is taught to be of paramount importance. Yoga means 'integrity' and Hinduism aims at creating wo/men of integrity to ensure that social harmony is capable of being upheld by the members of society. Therefore Yoga is not just one of the key words in Hindu parlance, but is at the very soul of Hinduism alongside the word Dharma.

Originally Posted by K.Venugopal

It must also be added here that the word Yoga in Hindu culture is one of its two most important words, the other being Dharma. Dharma means harmony and points to the natural harmony in existence, the maintenance of which in human affairs is taught to be of paramount importance. Yoga means 'integrity' and Hinduism aims at creating wo/men of integrity to ensure that social harmony is capable of being upheld by the members of society. Therefore Yoga is not just one of the key words in Hindu parlance, but is at the very soul of Hinduism alongside the word Dharma.

finally!

Thank you very much!

these are the very words I have been in search of past few day; Yoga is at the very soul of Hinduism.

Originally Posted by Grace Seeker

The National Council appears to have chosen to treat the entire Muslim population of Malaysia in a way similiar to how I treat children. It doesn't surprise me that some of them are upset.

heh, nail on head.
but i don't get how some bros/sis's are comparing yoga to muslim prayer? our prayer I think means much more than yoga, no?

Originally Posted by doorster

finally!

Thank you very much!

these are the very words I have been in search of past few day; Yoga is at the very soul of Hinduism.

Yes, this is a fact. Therefore I understand the fatwa against Yoga following, obviously, its increasing popularity among Malaysian Muslims. But where the fatwa might have erred is probably in supposing that Yoga is a belief system, which Yoga is not. In Yoga you don't have to believe anything. You only have to expose yourself to a knowledge that can transform you into an individual of integrity.

If today a fatwa has been issued against Yoga because of its Hindu connotations, tomorrow a fatwa might be issued against Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a time tested and proven alternative medical system that is gaining popularity throughout the world. Ayurveda is based on the Vedas and its texts are all in Sanskrit.

Originally Posted by alcurad

heh, nail on head.

(I never thought that I'll see the day when I start questioning you again after resolving our last argument somewhat amicably)

do you believe that there is room for yoga in Islam when it is at the very soul of another religion?

<Edit>

but i don't get how some bros/sis's are comparing yoga to muslim prayer? our prayer I think means much more than yoga, no?

and likewise to a Hindu yoga is much more than our salat!

bro doorster, I don't think some stretching is harmful to our religion, do you?
now I don't practice it, and I do understand if you think the mantra's/beliefs could get in somehow, but again, if some people want to stretch without the beliefs etc, none of my business.
also, the council said that if yoga is practiced along with the chants and religious elements it is haram, not the physical activity alone.

Originally Posted by alcurad

bro doorster, I don't think some stretching is harmful to our religion, do you?
now I don't practice it, and I do understand if you think the mantra's/beliefs could get in somehow, but again, if some people want to stretch without the beliefs etc, none of my business.
also, the council said that if yoga is practiced along with the chants and religious elements it is haram, not the physical activity alone.

It is not the act of stretching that is in dispute but Yoga

meh what's with the signature all ava sudden
yeah I get you, stretching is good , the chants and whatnot not so good. what i don't get is how we seem to 'flare up' then kind of agree

Originally Posted by alcurad

meh what's with the signature all ava sudden
yeah I get you, stretching is good , the chants and whatnot not so good. what i don't get is how we seem to 'flare up' then kind of agree

what i don't get is how we seem to 'flare up

may be because English is not my first language?