Yoga in Islam and Christianity

Yoga has made its way into Islam only recently. Up till now, the only connection between Yoga and Islam was Sufism, an aspect of Islam said to have been influenced in some degree by the yogic art form of meditation. Sufis, inspired by the physical postures of Yoga called asanas and also by the ability of restraining one’s breath, called ‘pranayam’, adopted these two measures in their lives.

The Indian text on Yoga called the ‘Amritkunda’ or ‘pool of nectar’ was translated into Arabic and Persian as early as 11th century, but are the last known references of Yoga in Islam. Of late, in fact, as recently as 1985, Guru Wafaa, a preacher of Islam, brought about the use of Yoga in the religion. He titled it ‘Islamga’. Aimed at providing harmony in one’s life through physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of a person, this Islamga is practiced largely through the tenets of Islam.

According to Guru Wafaa, Islamga lays down some principles of moral health for the followers of Islam. Similarly, physical well-being is attained by following the Islamic health systems from the Holy Quran and Ahadeeth. A Muslim can meditate and sharpen his concentration skills by practicing mental exercises as mentioned in the Holy Quran.

However, the highest body of Islam in Malaysia passed a fatwa in the year 2008 banning the practice of Yoga in Islam. According to them, the principles of Yoga have Hindu undertones, and therefore are, blasphemous. Even while this decision was criticized by Muslim organizations in India, Muslim bodies in other parts of the world such as Turkey were in favour of it.

Christianity too, shows little faith in the principles and beliefs of Yoga. In the year 1989, the Vatican termed Yoga and practice of Zen in Buddhism as a ‘cult of body’. However, some Christians use the meditative principles of Yoga in their spiritual and religious practices. One of the biggest oppositions to Yoga in Christianity is due to Yoga not being in sync with the religious beliefs of the Christians. Like several Muslim bodies, Christian organizations consider Yoga ‘non-Christian’. Therefore, they do not encourage the practice of Yoga in their religion.