The Yoga Duality

What is yoga? According to Oxford Dictionary, yoga is

1. Hindu system of meditation and asceticism designed to effect reunion with the universal spirit.
2. system of physical exercises and breathing control used in yoga.

The National Fatwa council has declared that the yoga practice which involves three elements of physical movements, worshipping and chanting as haram (prohibited) in Islam.

So based on the definition and the fatwa restated above, it is safe to say that the recent prohibition of yoga fatwa will only apply to yoga as defined in the first meaning, but not to yoga defined in the second one.

And, as I crawled the internet in search for more information on yoga, I stumbled upon this page with the following statement:

Yoga is not simply a physical exercise, it is rather a form of worship to the sun instead of Allaah.

Collins defines yoga as: 'A Hindu system of philosophy aiming at the mystical union of the self with the Supreme Being:- a state of complete awareness and tranquility through certain physical and mental exercises'.

It is widespread and well known in India since early ages. The original name of this sport in Sanskrit is (Sastanga Soria Namaskar) which means "prostrating for the sun on eight places of the body". This sport has 10 known states among which the fifth stage where the person lays face down on earth touching the ground with his: both hands, the nose, the chest, both knees and the toes. By this one realizes prostrating for the sun on eight organs of the body.


The yoga exercises start with the first state which constitutes a bowing to the worshipped, i.e. the sun. These exercises must be accompanied by a number of words and phrases, which state clearly the worshipping of the sun and the orientation towards it. This is called (Mantra). It is said in a soft voice and regular tone and pitch. These expressions include the 12 names of the sun and here are some of the things they say:
1) Mitraya Nama which means: I bow my head for you O! Friend of everyone.
2) Rafayer Nama which means: I bow my head for you who is glorified by everybody.
3) Suria Nama meaning: I bow my head for you O! Guider of everyone.
4) Maritchay Nama meaning: I bow my head for you O! Forcer of the disease out.
5) Safitir Nama meaning: I bow my head for you O! Giver of life.
6) Bhasakaria Nama meaning: I bow my head for you O! Source of light.

Some of them add other expressions like:
Um Hram, Um Hraim, Um Hrum, …etc. This means: O! God.

When the Muslims were fighting Hindus, they used to say: Allaahu Akbar and the Hindus used to say: Um Hram (seeking Help from their idol). Longman dictionary defines "Mantra" as "a word or sound that is repeated as a prayer or to help people Meditate in the Hindu or Buddhist religion".

So, we conclude that yoga is not a kind of sport, it is rather an atheist form of worship that the Muslim should not indulge in under any circumstances. Some might wonder: what if the person practices the physical exercises without facing the sun or repeating the mentioned expressions?

The answer is: "If this sport becomes free of atheist expressions and free of facing the sun, bowing for it and greeting it, it is no longer yoga. It becomes some simple physical exercises practiced by all people and there is no harm to practice it provided two things are met:
First, re-ordering the exercises in a way different than the one in yoga and introducing some new situations in it to avoid similarity with yoga.
Second, avoiding practising these exercises in the times the Hindus observe it like at sunrise. The evidence for these two conditions is the narration in which the Prophet said: "Pray the morning prayer and then abstain from prayer until sunrise and the sun has completely risen, for it rises between the horns of Satan. That is when the unbelievers prostrate to it." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

So, since it is forbidden to perform the prayer at sunset or sunrise to avoid imitating the disbelievers, then doing some other practices that disbelievers devote themselves to do at fixed times is more entitled to be done in different times.

Know also that what some people advertise that yoga brings tranquility and calm is not peculiar to yoga. It is general to anyone who keeps on repeating innovative, polytheist expressions or words with the presence of mind and the concentration on something like a picture.

The scholars mention that the devils land on these people filling their minds and hearts with imaginations and illusions, making them feel a false tranquility which some followers of innovative ways and forms of worship, publicize.

In fact, the true tranquility of the soul and its purity are attained by following the Sunnah and adhering to it as well as remembering Allaah in the way He mentioned in His Book and in the books of Sunnah.
Allaah says (interpretation of meaning): {… Verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest.}[13:28]. Allaah knows best.

So given the deep connection that yoga has in Hinduism, the recent decision taken by the National Fatwa Council to prohibit yoga which involves three elements of physical movements, worshiping and chanting, was indeed a wise one.

However, given the amazing curative and therapeutic ability of yoga as claimed by its practitioners, I think it is fine for us Muslims to incorporate the physical exercise and breathing technique performed in yoga without accepting the belief system that comes with it and omission of Hindu acts of worship such as the Sun Salutation, in which practitioners are supposed to praise and worship the sun.

And instead of chanting mantras in Sanskrit or Indian language, Muslim practitioners should make Dzikr, remembrance of Allah in performing their exercise and muscle stretches. This is not a case of syncretism or fusion of two religions, which would be spiritually invalid (click here). It is however, a set of techniques and skill to enhance the appreciation of one's faith. Indeed, many Muslim yoga practitioners find their prayers more soothing since performing yoga.


Nevertheless, I believe the controversies surrounding the fatwa would not have ensued and erupted to such a degree if the Council took some dedicated air-time over the television and radio, and also full statements on the newspapers, instead of just making impromptu statements, to explain how they have reached the conclusion to prohibit yoga with elements of worship.

"O Allah, we ask for Your protection from committing shirk (associating partners to Allah) to You in our consciousness, and we ask for Your forgiveness from anything which we do not know and of that we are not aware of."

Going Gaga Over Yoga

This issue has been going on for quite a while now. After weeks of thoughtful deliberations, I presume, the National Fatwa Council, had finally declared that yoga is forbidden for Muslims due to the Hindu elements of worship and mantra-chanting involved in performing it.

This immediately reminds me of a statement from my lecturer who taught history. He said, "If you strip a Malay of his/her religion (which is Islam, according to the Constitution), you will see a Hindu." Why? Because, although Malays have adopted Islam as their religion, remnants of Hindu culture and practices are still maintained up until now and mind you, there's more than just yoga. In fact, yoga is quite a recent phenomenon among Malaysians after news of its curative and therapeutic abilities spread around the world.

Now, let's look at the development of the yoga prohibition fatwa, so far:

22 November 2008
The National Fatwa Council declared that yoga is forbidden for Muslims. The news made headlines not just in Malaysia, but also elsewhere around the world. Click here and here.

23 November 2008,
Discontent among the public started to surface over the fatwa. And once again, it also made headlines abroad. Click here and here.

25 November 2008
Yoga fatwa on hold following discontent which surfaced from the public and the requirement to obtain the rulers' consent to implement any Islamic ruling. Click here and here.
Perlis Mufti, Dr Asri Zainul Abidin urged the National Fatwa Council to provide an alternative for yoga, instead of imposing an outright ban. Click here.
Director-general of Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abd Aziz lashed out at Dr Asri on the issue of an alternative for yoga, saying that it was outside the real issue being discussed. Click here.

25-26 November 2008
Royalties, who are regarded as the guardian of the Islamic faith in the country, are going to have the final say over the fatwa, whether it will be implemented in their respective states or not. Click here and here.

26 -27 November 2008
Two conflicting views surfaced when news of the prohibition of yoga went over to our neighbor, Indonesia. A member of Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) said they won't ban yoga (click here), while another recommended Indonesian Muslims to stop practicing yoga while they investigate if it is against the teachings of Islam (click here).
Our Syariah-graduate, Prime Minister, finally intervened and voiced out his views. He urged all quarters to understand the fatwa without twisting the facts (click here), and later clarified that yoga can be performed minus the chants and mantras (click here).

Whoa! That's a whole load of news and controversies stirred by a single fatwa. And I wonder what's going to transpire for the next few days or weeks ahead. I had to agree with the view of a reader of The Star in today's paper.

When the whole world is talking about the global financial market crisis, Malaysia is concerned on yoga fatwa!

I do not dismiss the decision taken by the National Fatwa Council and I believe the fatwa was issued out of good intentions of the Council to safeguard the faith of Muslims in Malaysia but its effect has thus far, stirred many unwanted controversies and misunderstandings. I do have my own opinions concerning this issue but, judging by the length and links included in this post, I think I have to put it on hold for now.

Michael Jackson is Now Mikaeel

LOS ANGELES: Pop star Michael Jackson has converted to Islam and changed his name to Mikaeel.

The 50-year-old singer, who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, is said to have sat on the floor and worn a small hat while an imam officiated at the home of Steve Porcaro, who composed music on his Thriller album.

He is said to have been encouraged by Canadian songwriter David Wharnsby and Philip Bubal, a producer, who both approached him after he appeared "a bit down".

A source told "They began talking to him about their beliefs, and how they though they had become better people after they converted." Michael soon began warming to the idea.

"An imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, the Muslim declaration of belief."

His brother Jermaine Jackson or Muhammad Abdul Aziz, previously hinted Jackson was considering converting to the religion.

"When I came back from Mecca, I got him a lot of books and he asked me lots of things about my religion and I told him that it's peaceful and beautiful," said Aziz, who embraced the faith in 1989.

"He read everything and he was proud of me that I found something that would give me inner strength and peace." - (November 22, 2008)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alhamdulillah, after years of rumours that he had embraced Islam, especially when his brother Jermaine is already a Muslim, and his frequent trip to his Middle Eastern abode, it is finally confirmed that Michael Jackson is now a Muslim.

How I envy him. The moment he recites the shahada, he is as a baby, pure and sinless. No matter how much bad deeds he had done, how many hearts he had hurt or broken, over his past 50 years, all that is forgiven by Allah and it is now upon himself, how he will plan his life, and which path will he choose.

It is my hope, and I believe the hope of every Muslim, that Mikaeel will be a messenger of peace for our religion and follow in the footsteps of Yusuf Islam and Daud Wharnsby Ali, artists who have reverted to Islam and used their talents to call people to Islam.

May his return to this religion of peace will help promote Islam through his good conduct and through lyrics and songs that touches the heart of those in need, in distress, in desperation and especially those who have strayed from the true path of Islam.

The news I've read so far, didn't mention about his children. I hope Mikaeel brings them into Islam, too, and raise them to be good Muslims.

Review: Pensil [2008]

Materials are insignificant for someone who thirsts affection.

Kebendaan tidak penting untuk insan yang dahagakan kasih sayang.

Pensil, is truly an eye opening film. It revolves around the life of Badrul who became mentally retarded when he contracted a fever as a child. His father died in an accident while on his way to buy medicine for Badrul at that time. He was then left to live with his stepmother, who despises him and treats him severely.

Although his stepmother treats him contemptuously, Badrul is a good son, who sincerely loves his stepmother. He supports their livelihood by helping a neighbor selling crackers around the village. Everyone in the village adores Badrul except for his stepmother and step aunt who both regard him as a burden and misfortune.

Badrul loves drawing, and for him, money is only needed to buy his supply of pencils and papers to fuel his hobby of drawing, a channel for him to express his feelings. Apart from that, other things are immaterial to him.

Casts:

M. Subash as Badrul

As a director who also plays the lead of the film, Subash has done what not many directors are able to do. He plays his part well and his handicap is portrayed consistently throughout the story.

Ruminah Sidek (Mak Mah) as Nenek (grandmother)

I had to choose her as my favorite cast in this film. She acts out a character that clearly is close to her heart – being a grandmother – and she does it excellently. Many of her dialogues drove me to tears.

Maimon Mutalib as Mak (stepmother), and Khatijah Tan as step aunt.

Both these actors clearly played out their part as the antagonist of the film. Their actions and words make you want to pull off their hairs, pepper their mouths, or even poke a fork into their eyes. There were a few moments which I thought that the stepmother would change for the better and see how Badrul had sacrificed for their sustenance, but it all turned out to be false alarms.

Kalau orang buat jahat dengan kita, orang benci dengan kita, orang tak suka kita, kita sabar. Sebab kita ni siapa punya? Allah punya.

Kita jangan marah dia, jangan marah mak. Mak pukul, jangan marah mak, sayang mak. Orang buat kita, kita jangan marah dia, kita kena sayang.

Cakap dengan Allah, Ya Allah Ya Tuhanku, baikkan hati mak aku, baikkan hati orang-orang yang tak suka dengan aku. Cakap dengan Allah, nanti Allah bagi, ye.

This reminds me of the noble character of our beloved Prophet peace be upon him. After being thrown with stones, to the extent that his sandal was wet with his blood, and insulted by the citizens of Tha'if, whom he invited to embrace Islam, Allah sent archangel Gabriel and the angel who keeps Akhsyabaini (two mountains in Makkah) to the Prophet.

Gabriel said to the Prophet, “Verily Allah has heard what was said by your people to you and what they have done to you. Allah has sent forth an angel of the keeper of the mountains, so you may command him to do as you please.” The angel then greets him and said, “O Muhammad, it is done, and now, what is it that you desire? If you desire that I flatten Akhsyabaini, surely I will.”

Instead of asking for the destruction of the people of Tha'if, the Prophet prayed, “On the contrary, I hope to Allah that He may conceive out of this people, a generation that worships only Allah and do not ascribe partners to Allah.”

In the film, among the things that astounds me most is how sincerely and innocently Badrul loves his stepmother, as he constantly chants “Sayang Mak” (Love Mother), despite the bad treatment he receives. This, I believe, is something that he learnt from his grandmother, an elderly woman who takes it into herself to be Badrul’s confidant and mentor. In fact, much of the themes and values which the film upholds are epitomized by Nenek, which Badrul then translates into his action.

Allah bagi rezeki macam hujan, semua orang dapat. Kena minta.

Rul tau tak, kenapa nenek sayang Rul? Sebab, ramai orang kat luar sana, badan dia sihat, tak cacat pun, tapi tak nak kerja.

Another interesting theme portrayed in the film is the reliance to God and the effort put to sustain a living. Badrul, although mentally challenged, does not succumb to asking people for money on the streets. Instead, he finds ways to make ends meet by first, helping a neighbor selling crackers around the village. He then performs various other odd jobs just to support himself, his stepmother and his passion for drawing. It should really make us ponder that, “Hey! This kid shouldn't be doing this, other people should be taking care of him not the other way round.” His attitude is in fact far flung from attitudes of many of our people who are physically and mentally healthy but lazes or refuses to do works, especially when it is not up their standards. I personally feel that the themes are purposely portrayed to satirically remind these people that as long as there's a will, there's a way, and all you need is an extra effort even if the work is not up to your standards.

May those who watch this film are enlightened and appreciate the message conveyed within. Some may say that it's too heavy or ends disappointingly, but for me it is just beautiful with its stark simplicity and the message conveyed within its story is much more important than what becomes of Badrul in the end.

Malaysian Reality of Ethnic and Religious Tolerance

Malaysia often prides itself as model nation where a multireligious, multicultural and multiethnic society can co-exist happily, harmoniously and peacefully. Advertisements broadcast during festivites often depicts citizens from different religion and ethnicity share in the celebration of respective festivals.

However, the truth is actually farther from what's depicted. As the saying goes, birds of the same feather flock together. The social relations of the citizens of Malaysia still hasn't changed for the past 45 years of its existence, people still prefer to flock with other people of the same ethnicity or religion.

Pink flamingos in Kenya.

I do not deny that the nation, has in fact changed, developed and evolved significantly physically, infrastructurally,  and economically, though the same cannot be said of the citizens of the vast interiors of Sabah, Sarawak and also possibly of Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Perak. But these so called developments was not in tandem with the efforts to bridge the various ethnic and religious groups of its citizens.

In fact, politicians - some or maybe even many of them- preferred that this status quo of separating or segregating the citizens remain. Why? Because it prevents them from uniting for a common purpose and in the event that they do unite for a common cause, and of course for anything that is against the government, the government would then feed the citizen with suspicion of the other ethnic or religious group.

As a result, discussions of ethnic and religious matters has been classified as 'sensitive issue' due to the threat that is poses to national peace and security, when in fact the threat is just a perceived threat. A threat which we are forced to believe will happen when the discussion or discourse between ethnicities or religions are set up.

One of the stumbling block of an effective integration of our citizens is ignorance. Sadly, our political leaders have played a major part in restraing people from knowing and understanding the environment in which they live in. And according to Md Asham Ahmad, this is akin to reinforcing ignorance which is the root of misunderstanding (my addition), fanaticism and racism.

As nation that prides itself as a model of a moderate Islamic nation, Malaysian leaders, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, still has a lot to learn about Islam. And one of the things that they should know is that Islam despises ignorance.

People should be allowed to enquire and be curious, to learn and be taught, to understand and be understood. The and only then peace, security and harmony can be truly said to have prevailed.

Islam encourages us to know each other!

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and make you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).

[Al-Hujurat, 49:13]

Islam is tolerant to non-Muslims and upholds justice!

God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those are just.

[Al-Mumtahanah, 60:8]

There is no god but He: that is the witness of God, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god be He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

[Ali-'Imran, 3:18]

There's no compulsion to embrace Islam!

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things.

[Al-Baqarah, 2:256]

But in matters of worship and religious practice,

To you be your Way, and to me mine.

[Al-Kafirun, 109:6]

and when we disagree over a matter,

Say: "Produce your proof if you are truthful."

[Al-Baqarah, 2:111]

So the verses above indicates that we are in fact commanded to know people of other ethnicity and religion. The diversity was created for us to eventually know each other. So interracial or interreligion discourse on an intellectual level is allowed so long as the limitations and conditions above are met. I believe our citizens are mature enough to have this kind of discourse. How long are going to keep each other in the dark about the 'others'?

Da'wah Training Seminar

Dear brother/sister in Islam,

You are cordially invited to attend this programme:

DA’WAH TRAINING SEMINAR

Date: Sunday, 16 November 2008

Time: 8.30AM – 1.30PM

Venue: Dewan Kuliah G, Bangunan Sains Komputer,
Across the road next to Masjid Al Malik Khalid,
USM, Penang

Conducted by: Sheikh Yusuf Estes (from Texas, USA )
[www.islamtomorrow.com]

Fee: RM20.00 per participant

Organised by: IPSI [www.ipsi.com.my] & Pusat Islam, USM

Closing date for registration: Wednesday, 12 November (for IPSI)
Friday, 14 November (for USM)

Kindly contact Haji Kamarudin at 019 411 5665 or e-mail ipsi7@streamyx.com for further details and registration. You are advised to register early as seats are limited to only 200 participants. No new registration will be entertained on the day of the seminar.

Please forward this notice to as many Muslims you know.

Jazakallah.

Thanks to blogger Sis Aliya [Musings of a Mualaf] for this information. Please pray for her well-being as she will be undergoing a surgery soon.

Open House: Bidayuh Traditional House

Attention: For those of you who haven't added me to your blog following list, please do so by clicking on the followers box on the sidebar.

The baruk's roof peak.

It's been a while since I last wrote about my people, the Bidayuh. In keeping with the tradition of open houses and the still ongoing (I believe) Raya celebrations - people say that you fast for a month, so you celebrate Raya for a month also - I would like to show you all how Bidayuh traditional houses look like. These are pictures of the Bidayuh house in Sarawak Cultural Village. Enjoy!

This is the baruk or headhouse. It is mainly a place for ceremonial purposes.

This is the interior of the baruk.

This longhouse is where the villagers reside. It is divided into biliks with a family residing in each bilik.

This contiguous, roofed space which connects all biliks is where socializing between families and communal activities and celebrations are done.

A very nice place to vent off the afternoon's heat.

Grinding rice into flour.

Many Bidayuhs nowadays, however, do not live in longhouses such as this anymore. Many villages are very similar with villages of other communities around the world, with each family having their own house fashioned to their on preferences. However, one unique feature that survived among the Bidayuh house architecture is the presence of a tanju in the compound of their houses.




The tanju is an open wooden platform, usually made of bamboo, about 10 meters wide adjacent to the panggau and joined to all sections within the longhouse to form an unbroken raised platform. Because it is uncovered, the tanju is the main venue on which the paddy, immediately after harvest, is winnowed, sunned and dried before being stored in barkbins (tibang) in the garret.

Individual Bidayuh family houses also have tanju in the compound of their house built either attached to the house or as a stand alone structure. Other than drying paddy, it is also used to dry other agricultural produce such as cocoa and pepper, one of the best agricultural product of Sarawak.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures...