Assalamu Alaikkum Mufti Saheb, My friend advised me to practice yoga to maintain my health. But when I approached the Trainers they told me about “Surya Namaskara” or Prayer to Sun god for health. They also told me to learn “Gayathri Mantra” which they say is essential for spiritual glorification. I fear these to be acts of shirk as they look like namaz of some kind. One of my friend showed me the site – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga#Islam where different opinion about the topic is written I am a bit confused reading all these. Please let me know what to do?
Answer
(Fatwa: 606/472/H=1431)
Do not practice yoga on any account. As per the details of yoga supplied by you, it is not only haram, but it is feared that you would land yourself in shirk (associating partner with Allah). There are too many lawful ways to maintain health.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband