YOGA! What’s the fuss all about?
The term yoga comes from a Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ which means yoke or union. Traditionally, yoga is a method joining the individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic Consciousness. Physical and mental exercises are designed to help achieve this goal, also called self-transcendence or enlightenment. On the physical level, yoga postures, called asanas, which are associated with various chants (mantras), are designed to tone, strengthen, and align the body. Yoga, also incorporates breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dyana) to quiet, clarify, and discipline the mind.
H.H.Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj of Parmath Niketan says:
Yoga is usually defined as union: union between the limited self and the Divine Self. It is to help us realize our identity with the Divine Self, to make us know and tune into our intrinsic nature.
In this context we can define Yoga as physical harmony & health with mental balance & peace.
Yoga should never be mistaken for any other mode of exercise, which is operational only on a physical level. (www.parmath.com)
All proponents of Yoga agree with the above sayings of swami chidanand.
In Hindu literature, the term "yoga" first occurs in the Katha Upanishad, where it refers to control of the senses and the cessation of mental activity leading to a supreme state. Important textual sources for the evolving concept of Yoga are the middle Upanishads, (ca. 400 BCE), the Mahabharata including the Bhagavad Gita (ca. 200 BCE), and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (150 BCE).
The development of Sufism was considerably influenced by Indian yogic practises, where they adapted both physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas) and transcendental meditation. The ancient Indian yogic text, Amritakunda, ("Pool of Nectar)" was translated into Arabic and Persian as early as the 11th century.
The Goal or Purpose of Yoga.
The goal of yoga range from improving health to achieving Moksha (sanskrit = salvation).This particular path to salvation among the several offered by Hinduism, links Tantrism (sanskrit = weaving a web) to those practices of Indian religions, such as yoga meditation. In tantric practices and studies, the student is instructed further in meditation technique, particularly chakra meditation It is considered to be a kind of Kundalini Yoga for the purpose of moving the Goddess into the chakra located in the "heart," for meditation and worship.
Within the monist schools of Advaita Vedanta and Shaivism the goal of yoga takes the form of Moksha, which is liberation from all worldly suffering and the cycle of birth and death (Samsara), at which point there is a realisation of identity with the Supreme Brahman.
In the Mahabharata, the goal of yoga is variously described as entering the world of Brahma, as Brahman, or as perceiving the Brahman or Atman that pervades all things.
For the bhakti schools of Vaishnavism, bhakti or service to Svayam bhagavan itself may be the ultimate goal of the yoga process, where the goal is to enjoy an eternal relationship with Vishnu.
Yoga in Dictionaries.
Longman dictionary defines yoga (noun)
1RRH a system of exercises that help you control your mind and body in order to relax
2RRH a Hindu philosophy in which you learn exercises to control your mind and body in order to try to become closer to God
Collins dictionary:
Yoga (Noun)
a Hindu system of philosophy aiming at spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing by means of deep meditation, prescribed postures, and controlled breathing
Cambridge dictionary:
yoga noun [U]1 a set of physical and mental exercises, Indian in origin, which is intended to give control over the body and mind:a yoga class2 a Hindu system of philosophy which aims to unite the self with god
Oxford English dictionary.
yoga
• noun a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practised for health and relaxation. ORIGIN Sanskrit, ‘union’.
In view of all this, in 1989, the Vatican declared that Eastern meditation practices such as Zen and yoga can "degenerate into a cult of the body."
One must admit the far sightedness of the Vatican and must acknowledge the power packed and compact reason given.
In spite of the Vatican statement, many Roman Catholics bring elements of Yoga, Buddhism, and Hinduism into their spiritual practices. - New York Times – Jan 07 1990.
Muslims cannot let this happen to Islam, which is perfectly complete and needs no addition or substraction – Imaam Maalik (rahimahullaah) said, "Whosoever introduces into Islaam any innovation, and holds it to be something good, has indeed alleged that Muhammad (sallAllaahu ’alaihi wa sallam) has betrayed his message. Read the saying of Allaah the Most Blessed, the Most High:
"This day I have perfected your Religion for you, completed My favour upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam as your Religion." Soorat ul-Maa‘idah (5:3)
Malaysia's top Islamic body in 2008 passed a fatwa, which is legally non-binding, against Muslims practicing yoga.The National Fatwa Council has declared that yoga is haram (prohibited) in Islam and Muslims are banned from practising it.Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin reasoned, saying: yoga had been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporated physical movements, religious elements together with chants and worshipping, with the aim of “being one with God”.
“Malaysia is not the only country which prohibits Muslims from doing yoga. Singapore and Egypt have come out with the same edict,” he pointed out.
In January 2009. Indonesian ulema council (MUI) declared yoga anti-Islamic and placed a ban on it.
Surprisingly, Darul Uloom Deoband, a Deobandi Islamic seminary in India in turn criticized these fatwas. Moreover said,
Why give yoga religious connotation, asks Deoband
January 29, 2009
India's best-known Islamic seminary Darul-Uloom said on Wednesday, that there was nothing wrong with any exercise done for health reasons. (Rediif news).
'Namaz' itself form of yoga, says Deoband cleric
29 Jan 2009, 0159 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: Performing yoga is not un-Islamic as offering 'namaz' is also a form of the practice, leading seminary Darul Uloom on Wednesday said
rubbishing the controversy over the issue. "Yoga is not a problem in Islam, but giving a religious colour to it is wrong," said Adil Siddiqui, spokesperson of Darul Uloom Deoband, India's leading Islamic seminary - [Times of India].
Dear readers, don’t you find any contradiction in the above two statements issued by the spokeperson of Deoband. I would like to ask Deoband, what is Namaz? (correct word for it is Salat).
Namaz – an innovated name for Salaat is nothing but a spiritual connection between the Creator and His slave, which incorporates recitation of His Words (i.e. Quran) and physical postures as taught by His final messenger Muhammad (Peace and Mercy of Almighty Allah be on him).
Thus, it’s quite mesmerizing that on the one hand Deoband asks why give Yoga a religious connotation and then likens it to Salaat, which is itself a religious act. My amazement knew no bounds, as just few days before on 22 December 2008, Deoband issued a fatwa against playing chess, declared it haraam and said playing it is a major sin. (see Fatwa no. 9432 – www.darululoom-deoband.com)
A piece of advice to Darululoom Deoband: Please, do some research before giving any verdict related to the Deen (religion) of Allah – The Almighty Creator. They declare a much bigger prohibited thing as lawful and declare a thing which is much lesser in comparison as unlawful. It is akin to allowing killing a innocent human soul and prohibiting killing a house-fly.
Clearance of a doubt: Few might wonder what if we practice the physical exercise without repeating vedic/polytheistic expressions and without trying to be one with God through it. The answer for it is that then it ceases to be Yoga and become any other form of physical exercise and word the yoga shouldn't be used then. It could be called aerobics, martial arts, etc etc or simply a physical exercise. Exercises that are designed to tone, supple, build up stamina, strengthens muscles, and make the performer agile, fit and strong is not only allowed but is highly recommended in Islam. The last Apostle of Almighty-Creator, Muhammad (Peace be on him) said, Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu ‘anh) reports that the Prophet (salalahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Guard over that which benefits you, seek Allah’s Assistance. [Sahih Muslim, Ibn Mahah, and Ahmad]
Caution cum Conclusion: There are many from within and outside our Muslim community who are hell-bent upon to make us loose our path and identity. They want everything that can degenerate Islam to enter into the cult of the body. The biggest proponent of yoga i.e. Baba Ramdev, who almost single handedly revolutionize Yoga in India says Muslims can chant ‘Allah’ in place of ‘Om’ while doing Yoga [courtesy - Times of India, 1st May 2009 – extracted from the article of Firoz Bakht Ahmad].
This further proves that Yoga should never be mistaken for any other form of physical training but unfortunately Deoband mistook it. As we have discussed above that ultimate goal of Yoga is to attain salvation (moksh). We can conclude without an iota of doubt (thanks to Deoband) that Yoga is namaz of Hindus and Salaat is the namaz of Muslims. In short, Yoga is for Hindus what Salaat is for muslims. I conclude here with the most relevant Hadith for the current time, of the last Messenger of Allah.
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam has informed us of this in the Hadeeth of Hudayfah radiallaahu 'anhu in which he said: "The people used to ask the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam about the good, and I used to ask him about the evil out of fear that it would reach me. So I asked the Messenger of Allaah: "O Messenger of Allaah, we were living in ignorance and evil, then Allaah brought this good to us. So will there be any evil after this good?" He replied: "Yes." I then asked: "Will there be any good after this evil?" He replied: "Yes, but it will be tainted." So I asked: "What will be its taint?" He replied: "A people who guide others to other than my way, you will approve of some of their actions and disapprove of others." I further enquired: "Then is there any evil after this good?" He said: "Yes! Callers at the gates of Hell - whoever responds to their call, they will be thrown into the fire." I then said: " O Messenger of Allaah! Describe them to us." He said: "They will be from our people and speak our language." [Related by al-Bukhaaree (no.7084) and Muslim (no.1847)]
(You can send your feedback, arguments, disapprovals, or suggestions directly to this writer at
Back on track.
On other occasion prophet said : O Bilaal! Let us find rest and comfort by the prayer. The intent here is that, that by which the eye finds pleasure is loftier than that which he (merely) loves. The prayer is the pleasure of the eye of those who love, the One besides Whom the eyes do not find pleasure and (besides Whom) the souls do not find tranquillity and serenity. The comfort and enjoyment by His remembrance, great pleasure on account of submission, nearness to Him - especially in the state of sujood (prostration) - and it is in this state that the servant is and feels closest to His Lord. The comfort and enjoyment felt by the servant due to prayers relieves him from all the sufferings of the worlds and he is at ease.
The comfort and rest of the lover and the pleasure of his eye lies in the prayer but the unmindful one who turns away has no share of this. Rather the prayer is too great and burdensome for him. When he stands (for prayer) it is as if he is standing on hot coals, until he finishes from the obligatory section of the prayer. He hastens it and speeds (his performance of it). Thus, there is no pleasure of the eye for him in it and there is no rest and comfort for his heart in it.The pretender, whose heart is empty of Allaah’s remembrance and the home of the hereafter and who is put to trial by the world, the hardest thing for him is the prayer and the most hated thing to him is it’s lengthiness, even though he is sound in health, idle and unoccupied.
Ibn al-Qayyim said in Al-Fawaa’id (p.258), .The servant has two standings in front of Allaah. A standing in front of Him during the prayer and a standing in front of Him on the Day of meeting with Him. Whoever stood for the first standing, giving its due right, the other meeting will become easier for him. And whoever took this standing lightly and did not perform it with its due right, the other standing will become hard and severe for him.
Taqwaa and Knowledge.
The Most High - Allah, has said:
Have taqwaa of Allaah and Allaah will teach you, and Allaah has knowledge of every single thing. [Soorah al-Baqarah (2):282]. And He, the Most High, also said:O you who believe! If you have taqwaa of Allaah, He will grant you a criterion (to judge between truth and falsehood). [Soorah al-Anfaal (8):29].
This is clear and manifest proof that the one who has taqwaa of Allaah, He will grant him knowledge by which he will distinguish between truth and falsehood. For this reason Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood said, .Indeed, I consider that a man loses knowledge which he once had, due to a sin which he committed.. [Jaami’ Bayaanul-'ILm wa Fadlihi of Ibn ’Abdul-Barr (1/196)].
Imaam ash Shaafi’ee said, .I complained to Wakee’ about the poorness of my memory. So he directed me to abandon disobedience. And informed me that the knowledge of Allaah is light. And that the light of Allaah is not given to the disobedient.. [Deewaanush-Shaafi’ee (p.88). Refer also to Al-Jawaab al-Kaafee of Ibn al-Qayyim (p.104).]
Imaam Maalik said to Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee (may Allaah have mercy on them both), .I see that Allaah has placed light in your heart so do not extinguish it with the darkness of disobedience.. [Al-Jawaab al-Kaafee of Ibn al-Qayyim (p.104)].
Being neither shy nor arrogant in seeking knowledge, and this is why ’Aa’ishah, (may Allaah be pleased with her), said, .How excellent are the women of the Ansaar, shyness/modesty does not
prevent them from understanding the religion.. [Reported by Bukhaaree in Kitaabul-Ilm].
Mujaahid said, .The shy person and the arrogant one will not learn the knowledge.. [Reported by Bukhaaree in Kitaabul-Ilm].
Few Comments on Current Affairs.
Sarky Sarkozy speaks out against burka.(http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/europe/ 8112821.stm)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has spoken out strongly against the wearing of the burka by Muslim women in France. "We cannot accept to have in our country women who are prisoners behind netting, cut off from all social life, deprived of identity," Mr. Sarkozy told a special session of parliament in Versailles. "That is not the idea that the French republic has of women's dignity. The burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience. It will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic," the French president said.
Comments: Who is forcing Muslim women to wear burqa? And who is forcing Muslim women to not to wear burqa? Any answers? Uh!!!!
Muslim women out of their own free-will are wearing hijab with pride and delight, and none are compelling them to do so. No case whatsoever have ever been registered by any muslimah regarding enforcement of hijab on her by their family members. Instead, there are many who are forcing muslimahs to remove their hijab and many cases have been filed by muslimahs around the world against those who oppose their choice of wearing hijab.
Now then, who is the real enemy of freedom and liberty? and Who is intolerant?
Secondly, sarkozy used the less common word burqa against the more common word hijab, which clearly indicates a bruni effect on this. Carla bruni (a former super model and a singer) is the name of his wife who remains almost nude or semi nude all the time. She socializes with her male friends and has gain her identity through it. How can sarkozy digest this? Hence we don’t blame the poor chap sarkozy for his sarcasm (sarky).
Thirdly, what hijab has to do with identity? Those who are familiar to them know them well, as is the case with all of us.
Swine flu outbreak feared among Makkah pilgrims(ref: http://www.gulfnews .com/news/ gulf/saudi_ arabia/10324217. Html)
“There are growing fears that a swine flu outbreak could sweep through Makkah as Umrah and the Haj bring millions of pilgrims from around the world. Egypt's health minister Hatem Al Jabali has warned that pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia could face quarantine.”
Comments: There should be just no fear regarding contracting swine flu on the way to pilgrimage if you are a believer and a real lover of Allah.Swine flu is not an epidemic that is restricted to a certain place instead it’s pandemic that is universal in it’s effect. Hence, we can contract swine flu even in our homeland and contracting it whilst doing pilgrimage would be a far far better option.
So what’s there to fear about, O hypocrital cowards!
Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’âla states:
“Verily the first house established for mankind (to worship Allâh) was in Makkah. A blessing and guidance for all the worlds. In it are many clear signs. (One of them being) the Maqâm‑e‑lbrâhim (place of Ibrâhim). Whoever enters it has attained safety.” (Sûrah Âl‑‘Imrân, Verses 96-97)
“And recall when lbrâhim Alayhis Salâm beseeched: ‘O my Rabb! Make this city safe and grant its residents fruits, those amongst them who believe in Allâh and the last day.’” (Sûrah Al Baqarah verse 126)
Thus, if you believe in Allah and the last day(i.e. day of resurrection and recompense) you will be sound and safe.
Read what Prophet Muhammad said about these two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "There are angels guarding the entrances of Makkah and Medina, neither plague (and other epidemic or pandemic) nor Ad-Dajjal will be able to enter it." (Sahih Bukhari)
“A person who passed away while performing the Haj or Umrah will not be questioned (in the qabr) nor will any reckoning be taken from him (on the day of Qiyamah). He will be told: “Enter Jannah in peace with those who have attained salvation.” (Baihaqî)
“Anyone who falls ill in Makkah for one day, Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’âla renders his body and his flesh harâm [forbidden] from the fire of Jahannam.” (Sahîh Bukharî)
“Anyone who endures the heat of Makkah with patience for an hour of the day, Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’âla will distance that person from the fire of Jahannam by a distance of a journey of five hundred years and bring him closer to Jannah by a distance of a journey of two hundred years. Indeed Makkah and Madinah eject any impurities within them like flames eject rust from iron. Understand carefully! Difficulties and calamities abounded in Makkah right from its inception. Great stages are realised by enduring these difficulties.” (Sahîh Muslim)
“Anyone who endures any difficulty experienced in Makkah (with patience), I will intercede and bear witness for him on the day of Qiyâmah.” (Sunan ibn Mâjah)
“Anyone who dies in Makkah or in Madinah, will be resurrected by Allâh on the day of Qiyâmah safe from punishment. There will be no reckoning, no fear and no punishment for him. He will enter Jannah in peace. I will intercede for him on the day of Qiyâmah. (musnad Ahmad)
Shahrukh Khan On Prophet Muhammad .
SRK was asked by ‘Times n Style luxury’ magazine in an interview in the may-june issue: “According to you who is the most impressive figure in history?” to which he replied as:“There are lots of them, some negative ones like Hitler, then Napoleon,Winston Churchill and if I can call it history, then Prophet Mohammed and from recent time — Nelson Mandela. And there are the nice ones like Gandhiji and Mother Teresa.”This controversial answer of SRK rightly created lot of hues and cries. FIR was lodged against him on 17th june 2009 for hurting religious sentiments. Nevertheless, Shah Rukh clarified that it was a "writing error" and that he had named the Prophet among the most impressive personalities in history.
"Obviously I think that there is no more important figure in history than Prophet Mohammad in the most positive way possible. Also, being a Muslim and standing up for the tenets of Islam is my most important agenda. If they have seen my interviews on TV about Islam and Prophet Mohammad, they would know it's a writing error and not a thought or view that I believe in."
Shahrukh also threatened to sue ‘Times n Style’ magazine for their seemingly mischievous intent of creating trouble in the land. Hence, a corrigendum was published by magazine across Mumbai newspapers stating: "This is with reference to the interview with Shah Rukh Khan that featured in Time'N Style-Luxury Vol-1 issue: The answer to question “According to you who is the most impressive figure in history?” should have appeared as: “There are lots of them. Some negative ones like Hitler. Then Napoleon, Winston Churchill were impressive.
If I can call it history then most impressive, positive figure Prophet Mohammad and from recent times there are the nice ones like Nelson Mandela, Gandhiji and Mother Teresa.” ‘This is a clarification and the error is deeply regretted.’
Comments: It seems as if it was a deliberate mistake by the ‘Times n Style’ magazine that is run by ‘The Times of India’ group, considering the past record of this group. This mistake served their double purpose of gaining publicity and application of coolant on their burns caused by jealousy.SRK was right when he termed prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) as the most impressive positive figure. If anyone just takes a glance at the life of Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) and his accomplishments he can surely fathom what SRK said.
Alphonso de Lamartine a well known historian’s description of life and accomplishments of Prophet Muhammad(sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the best in the category less than 150 words. Read what he has to say: "If greatness of purpose, smallness of means and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls...."Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is MUHAMMAD.As regards all the standards by which Human Greatness may be measured, we may well ask, IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN MUHAMMAD?"(Alphonse de Lamartine, HISTOIRE DE LA TURQUIE, Paris, 1854, Vol. II, pp 276-277)
