Divergent Islamic perspectives: yoga through the lens of societal custom

ABSTRACT The concept of Islamic legal custom, or ‘urf occupies an important place within the Islamic legal system. Legal custom has been key in shaping localised Islamic interpretations towards cultural practices and activities. The indispensable role of custom is evident in the modern context where it has played a significant role in modern Islamic jurisprudence in the process of formulating law in response to new practices and norms. In an attempt to map the significance of custom in the Islamic legal framework, we will present a discussion on the divergent Islamic legal perspectives on yoga. In using yoga as a case study, this paper will first discuss the debates surrounding the status of yoga in the contemporary Islamic world. We will then look at how the legal framework around the role of custom shapes the discourse regarding yoga and its permissibility for Muslims. We argue these religious verdicts are shaped by socio-political and economic factors including whether Muslims have been introduced to yoga by Hindu citizens or through its commercialised form. Finally, we end the article by discussing the emergence of an ‘Islamic Yoga’, which is a product of utilising custom as a mediated legal tool.