ISLAM AND YOGA

ISLAM AND YOGA*by
Prof. Dr. Salman Harun**

This morning I had my first experience with Yoga when I joined exercises of Yoga led by Dr. Somvir. From that experience I have the strong opinion, as I have written in my paper, that there is no contradiction between Yoga and Islam, from any aspect.
In fact we have been divided into categories of race, nation, and belief. But in Yoga I am sure that we can live together in harmony, compassion, and peace, because Yoga is the rightful property of mankind and it does not belong to any one culture, nation, or religion.
It is a fact nowadays that Islam has been portrayed as a religion of violence and terrorism. I would like to stress here, with the following examples, that this opinion is fully wrong:
1. According to Islam, mankind comes from a common ancestor, so we are all brothers (4:1).
2. According to Islam, we are divided into many races and ethnics, tribes, and nations. But the aim is to know one another, to understand, and to love (49:13).
3. Islam is a peaceful religion. For example, its name derives from the Arabic word “salam”, meaning peace, and a good Muslim performs five prayers each day closes with the declaration "peace for you, and Mercy of God and His Bliss".
4. Islam acknowledges the existence of the other religions, and challenges them to do good deeds (5:48).
5. Islam recognizes that Islam, Judaism, and Christianity come from one ancestor, namely Abraham (2:213).
6. According to Islam, the issue of faith is not a human affair, but it is the right of God to judge our faith in the hereafter, not now in our living world. Therefore, no human has the right to discriminate against another based on his or her religion or race (S. 3:85).
7. According to Islam, in every community God sent a guardian. They are in the form of priests, rabbis, philosophers, or scholars (35:24)\.
8. It is prohibited to force someone to embrace a religion (5:109).
9. Islam forbids insulting another religion (6:108).
10. Islam forbids war in the name of religion, because “it will pull down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the name of God is mentioned much.” (22:39-40).
11. Islam condems terrorism, because it is opposed to violence, the targeting civilians, and fear-mongering (8:61).
12. Islam maintains the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of mankind. He respects human life. That is why the taking of a life warrants a sentence to death (qishash) (5:32).
13. Islam gives protection to non-Muslim, guarding their lives and their safety (9:6).
14. Dedication to non-Muslims is acceptable, as is dedication to the parents, but it must be under the condition that they are not fought for and are not expelled from their homes in the name of the religion (60:8).
15. Islam does not discriminate against the believers in fighting against poverty (2:272).
16. The Issue of Jihad
“Jihad” means fighting against an enemy. The background of the verses of Jihad revealed in the Quran is the condition of Islam in Medina in the Prophet’s era. At the time, Muslims were a small group with little power. The powerful were the Quraish supported by the tribes around Medina. They attacked Medina, and then, at that time, war could not be avoided. But this war was won by Islam. The second war in the next year was won by Meccans. They always threatened. This is the situation and conditio, and why the verses of jihad were revealed. Thus, jihad is defense against attackers. So, Jihad is not an offensive attack.

The conclusion is that Islam is not dangerous for mankind. Islam accepts Yoga. Furthermore, I suggest to Indonesian Muslims to accept Yoga and adopt it as a medium for a call (dakwah).

Denpasar, 3 of March, 2009
Salman Harun

• Keynote speech pointers presented at “Yoga for Health and Peace Festival” held by Bali-India Foundation, Denpasar, 3-10 Maret, 2009.
** Professor of Tafsir (Qur'anic interpretation); former Dean of the Faculty of Education, "Syarif Hidayatullah" State Islamic University, Jakarta, Indonesia (1994-1996, 2001-2005); Director of the Center for Multi-faith Education at that University. Address: Jl. Juanda 95 Ciputat 15419 Jakarta Indonesia, phone: +6221-7409866, mobile: +6281314130061, e-mail: salmanhar2000@yahoo.com. Blog: salmanharun-institute@blogspot.com