Prominent Malaysian preacher Firdaus Wong recently shared a heartfelt appeal from Prof. Dr. Lingham Pillai, President of the Malaysian Yoga Sports Association, urging Muslims to avoid participating in yoga due to its origins in Hinduism. The professor emphasized that the practice contradicts the fatwa issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), which prohibits Muslims from engaging in yoga.
Taking to Instagram, Firdaus Wong revealed that Prof. Dr. Lingham had approached him with urgency, stating, "He urged to meet me as soon as possible. He said that it is important."
During a meeting at Firdaus Wong's office in Setapak, Prof. Dr. Lingham expressed his worries about the increasing number of Muslims engaging in yoga despite the fatwa.
"As a Hindu, I know yoga originates from Hinduism. I, myself, will not promote it to Muslims. Any yoga teacher or centre should not promote it to Muslims," Prof. Dr. Lingham explained.
He stressed that promoting yoga to Muslims disregards their faith's boundaries and the fatwa that explicitly forbids the practice.
"Muslims should not participate in yoga. Even I, as a Hindu, know that yoga is from Hinduism, and Muslims themselves should respect the fatwa from JAKIM that forbids Muslims to participate," he added.
Prof. Dr. Lingham also highlighted that some yoga instructors have reportedly promoted the practice to Muslims by claiming that it can help them become "better Muslims." This misguided promotion, he noted, not only disrespects the fatwa but also introduces unnecessary confusion.
As a constructive suggestion, Prof. Dr. Lingham encouraged Muslims to focus on their daily prayers, which he believes already offer significant health benefits.
"I conducted research and studies on the movements of Islamic prayers. Just tell Muslims to pray properly because, in the movements of Islamic prayers, there are health benefits," he said.
Prof. Dr. Lingham reached out to Firdaus Wong to spread awareness about this issue, emphasizing the importance of upholding religious principles and practices.
