Are Qigong and Tai Chi Permissible despite Their Connections with Daoism?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I have been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong for a while and was happy to see among your answers that it is actually recommended. However, if one looks deeply into the subject, one finds that the practices are connected with Daoism. Doesn’t this entail that such practices are haram?
I reason that it is okay if one does so with the intention of healthcare, especially since the philosophical principles connected with them (to my limited understanding) are not against Islamic teaching.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
You are correct; as long as you intend to practice it for its health benefits only, concentrate on its postures and moves, and not look deep into its philosophical connections, then it would be fine.
Allah Loves Strong Believers More, but All Are Good
Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: If only I had done something else. Rather say: Allah has decreed what he wills. Verily, the phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of Satan.” [Muslim]
Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) said, “‘It opens the way for the work of Satan’ means he casts into the heart opposition to the divine decree and Satan tempts him with it.”
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- Is it permissible to engage in martial arts that have remnants of Buddhist culture/religion?
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
