Islamic scholars challenge MUI edicts on smoking and yoga

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 01/26/2009 7:15 PM  |  Headlines

Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of the country’s largest Islamic organization, challenged an edict by the country’s highest Islamic authority, The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which bans smoking by children and pregnant women.

Hasyim, himself a smoker, said Monday that the Nahdlatul Ulama, which he chairs, has long declared smoking as “mukruh” (allowed but discouraged), and therefore, had never banned smoking.

"The danger of smoking is relative, not as significant as the danger of drinking (alcohol). Also, those who smoke have also relative benefit, for example, their thinking is clear when smoking,” he was quoted by Tempointeraktif.com as saying.

A special meeting of the Indonesian Ulema Council in Padangpanjang, West Sumatra, on Sunday concluded that smoking was haram and banned pregnant women and children, as well as men in public places, from the practice.

The MUI also banned Muslims from practicing yoga if it contains Hindu rituals such as chanting, the chairman of the group said Monday, citing concerns that it would corrupt their faith.

Meanwhile, Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra said that the MUI edict on smoking was nothing new because local governments including the Jakarta administration have also banned smoking in public places.

“The MUI edict only gives theological supports to the existing regulations,” he said.

However, Azyumardi, who is an assistant to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, said the MUI edict on yoga was unnecessary and could be counter-productive.

“I know many Muslims are practicing yoga but they still observe Islamic teachings. They do not take the Hindu teachings, but practice it as an exercise for their physical and mental wellbeing,” he said.

Although the edict is not legally binding, most devout Muslims will likely adhere to the MUI edict because they consider ignoring a fatwa, or religious decree, sinful.
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suryani (not verified) — Tue, 01/27/2009 - 9:53am

our government must be reviewed the bans about smoking and yoga.

John wilfred (not verified) — Tue, 01/27/2009 - 9:05am

these scholars now nothing
smoking kills ( the smokers dies 20 years younger )
he also kills no smokers with second hand smoke .
alcool a small glass a day is beneficial.
also why is pork haram billions eat it and are healthy .
look at the life expectancy rates in the world you would see.
i agree why the religious leaders waited so long to say smoking is bad . the WHO has been saying this for 30 years now.

Tats (not verified) — Tue, 01/27/2009 - 7:10am

Why can't I add it to Facebook. A lot of friends dont read papers, but I think they need to know it.

Nairdah (not verified) — Tue, 01/27/2009 - 6:16am

It is so comforting to know that the evil known as yoga, that has ravaged the minds and bodies of millions, has finally been caught and banished. I feel safer already.

Great to see the wisdom of MUI in not banning Muslim men smoking; after all, as Azyumardi says "The danger of smoking is relative, not as significant as the danger of drinking". Yeh. Smoking is only an addictive drug that kills more than 400,000 Indonesians every year and creates millions of widows and fatherless children.

All helps keeps things in perspective, including the wisdom of MUI.

Now for something really serious for MUI to consider. Should the millions of Muslims, especially in Java, with traditional Hindu names renounce their Hindu names? e.g.Chandra,Siti,Dewi etc.

JT (not verified) — Tue, 01/27/2009 - 3:04am

"Hasyim, himself a smoker, said Monday that the Nahdlatul Ulama, which he chairs, has long declared smoking as “mukruh” (allowed but discouraged), and therefore, had never banned smoking."

LOL what a hypocrite, next time try to remove a wooden plank in your eyes before you remove a needle from the eyes of someone else.

I am sympathetic to those who have this guy as a leader..... using his own agenda to manipulate those who believe in him.

Alice (not verified) — Tue, 01/27/2009 - 2:04am

WHAT??!! Is this for real??? Ban if it calls for chanting and etc...
Ever read a Science forum, magazine or anything of that sort??!! Chanting has been proven to help with stress and relieve the mind of some troubles. This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard of in my life...
So...I'm a Muslim (This is the truth) but I do Yoga (and this is true too). Does that mean I'm Hindu now?? I have accompanied friends to other events such as Charities sponsored by churches or temples...does that mean I'm Christian now??? I have gone with friends in the past to Chinese New Year celebrations...does that mean I'm Chinese now??? or Buhddist???
Tell me, does that sound ridiculous or not??? ABSURD.
... BESIDES THE FACT THAT INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY PLEASE IF IT CAUSES NO HARM TO ANY BEING...

Nairdah (not verified) — Mon, 01/26/2009 - 8:10pm

"The danger of smoking is relative, not as significant as the danger of drinking (alcohol). Also, those who smoke have also relative benefit, for example, their thinking is clear when smoking,”. Total nonsense. If it kills more than 400,000 Indonesians, that suggests it might be "signfiicant". Not even a fraction of that number would die from alcohol poisoning in Indonesia.

Research shows that the impact of tobacco on the brain is to briefly stimulate it then lead to slowing and reduced judgement, part of which is the feeling (an illusion) that one is able to think more clearly. That is the same effect of most addictive drugs.But in Indonesia, tobacco kills many more people than alcohol, marihuana (almost unheard of) and other illicit drugs. Tobacco is one of the most addictive drugs in use around the world.

As for the fatwa on yoga - a sad indictment of a group that seems to have nothing better to do than muddle with peoples lives. And certaintly not interested in saving lives from tobacco. An irrelevant organisation.

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