Yoga: Shared path of humanity!
My name is Sheeraz Qureshi, and as an advocate I am dedicated to promoting social harmony and unity in India. Currently, I am working as the national convenor of India First Organization, which is committed to India’s unity, integrity and inclusive development. In addition, I have been actively associated with the Muslim National Forum (MRM) by assimilating the ideas of the Sangh, which serves to strengthen Hindu-Muslim unity and spread India’s cultural heritage to all communities. Yoga, which is part of the ancient heritage of India, is not only a means of physical and mental health for me, but also a powerful medium to bring all religions and communities on one platform. In this article, I will present the nature of Yoga’s Sarvadharma Sambhav from my point of view, including Sanskrit Shloka, verses of Quran Sharif (in Arabic and Hindi), examples of Bhagavad Gita, examples of the world, and the involvement of yoga of the Muslim National Forum.
Sanskrit Verse: Universal Message of Yoga
The basis of yoga lies in the yogasutras of Patanjali, which is not limited to any religion or community. Patanjali says:
“Yogadhnatvrittinti:”
(Yogasutra 1.2)
Meaning: Yoga is the detention of the instincts of the mind.
This verse defines yoga as a process that calms the mind and connects the soul to high consciousness. This message is for all humans, irrespective of their religion.
There is another verse in the Bhagavad Gita:
“Samvatam Yoga Uchyate”
(Gita 2.48)
Meaning: Equality is yoga.
This verse presents yoga as a balance and equality in life. For me, it reflects the principle of unity in India’s diversity, which matches the ideology of India First and Muslim National Forum.
Quran Sharif: Importance of health and self-control
The Quran Sharif emphasizes maintaining physical and mental health, which matches the principles of yoga. I am presenting two verses here, which I have used to promote yoga in my community. These verses are with original form and Hindi translation in Arabic:
1. Surah al-Bakra, verse 195 Arabic: وَنف bud فgar bud سَبِيلrance اللللusionwal وَلَا تا تا <قُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمuff إtention اللللَ grب mine اللhad الْمhonep الْسising Hindi translation: And spend in the path of Allah and do not push yourself towards destruction with your hands, and do good, surely Allah likes Allah. Explanation: This verse inspires us to take care of our body and mind. Yoga, which reduces stress and increases physical-mental health, is a complete consent with this teaching. I mention this verse in my speeches and told that yoga saves us from destruction and shows the path of goodness.
2. Surah al-Bakra, rectangle 153 Arabic: يَا أ Ne: أَي milk–kingذಂwal امَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَْرself وَالصَالصَالصَْ fall الصَْledgeth Hindi translation: O Iman Iman! Ask for help (from Allah) by patience and namaz. Surely Allah is with those who have patience. Explanation: This rectangle emphasizes patience and prayer. Meditation and self-control in yoga correspond to the principle of restraint of Islam. I told my community that the focus of yoga is similar to Namaz’s Tafakkur (contemplation) and Tajkakur (remembrance).
3. Surah Ara-Rahman, Rectangle 60 Arabic: هَلْ جَزَاءently الْإِحْسَانounce إ memory الما الْإِحround Hindi translation: What else can be the revenge of goodness? Explanation: This verse underlines the importance of goodness. Yoga, which brings positivity to society by increasing physical and mental health, strengthens the message of this rectangle. I used this rectangle to explain that yoga promotes good and unity in society.
4. Surah al-Mida, Rectangle 87 Arabic: يَا أَييranceا الَا الَا اينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُحَرitely طَي]طَيranceا مَاتِ مَا أَحَلَا also أَلَلَْauti stay ۚ إantly >ather belca Do not destroy those culinary things that Allah has from Halal for you, and do not grow by extent. Surely Allah does not like those growing by limits. Explanation: This rectangle gives the message of balance and restraint. Yoga, which brings balance in life, corresponds to the principle of this rectangle. On the basis of this rectangle, I presented yoga as a practice that is halal and beneficial.
Bhagavad Gita: spiritual dimension of yoga
In the Bhagavad Gita, yoga is described as karma, devotion, knowledge and meditation. A verse that inspires me deeply:
“Buddhayukto jaati bhee sukritduskrit.
Tasmadhyogay Yujyasva Yoga: Karmasu Kaushalam. “
(Gita 2.50)
Meaning: A person with intellect abandons both virtue and sin. So try for yoga, yoga deeds are skillful.
This verse inspires me that yoga is not just physical exercise, but is the way to bring skills and balance in every field of life. Through India First, I propagate yoga from this perspective, so that it is relevant to all communities.
Muslim national platform and yoga association
Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), which was the then head of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 2002, Mr. K.S. Established under the guidance of Sudarshan ji and Shri Indresh Kumar ji, works to promote India’s cultural unity. Yoga has been a major means of strengthening our unity. I have taken the following initiatives together with MRM:
• Organizing yoga camps: MRM has organized yoga camps in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir, in which the Muslim community enthusiastically participates. I myself have led such sessions, where Namaz postures such as Sajda were connected to the headstand and Qayam with Vajrasana.
• Book publication in 2015: On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2015, MRM published a book, with misunderstandings about yoga. I contributed to presenting yoga as a means of health and self-control in this initiative.
• Yoga in Kashmir: In 2019, after the cancellation of Article 370, MRM organized yoga camps in Kashmir, in which I participated. The local Muslim community adopted yoga as a symbol of peace and unity, which reflects the spirit of national integration of India First.
• Amarnath Yatra Support: In 2008, MRM supported land allocation for Amarnath Yatra and held yoga sessions with Shanti March. Hindu and Muslim communities participated together in these events, which reflects the power of unity of yoga.
Examples of the world: Global acceptance of yoga
The evidence of the global acceptance of yoga is International Yoga Day (June 21), which was declared by the United Nations in 2014 with the support of 177 countries, including Muslim-Bahul countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Indonesia.
• Saudi Arabia: In 2018, Saudi Arabia recognized Yoga as a game. Yoga instructor Nauf Marawai combined it with Islamic principles, which inspires my efforts.
• Indonesia: The number of yoga centers is increasing in areas like Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, where Muslims and non-Muslim do yoga together.
• Farida Hamza: American Muslim Yoga instructor Farida Hamza considers Yoga to be a part of her lifestyle. They connect the postures of Namaz with yoga asanas, which matches my perspective.
My personal journey: yoga and reconciliation of Islam
As an activist and an advocate of India First, Muslim Rashtriya Manch, I have faced questions on the compatibility of Yoga with Islam. My answer is clear: Yoga is a scientific process, not religious rituals. For example, I present Surya Namaskar as physical exercise without religious mantras. The similarity in namaz postures, such as Sajda and headstand, Qayam and Vajrasana, strengthens my belief that yoga and Islam complement each other. Institutions like Darul Uloom Deoband have also considered yoga to be halal for health, provided it does not contain religious mantras!
Yoga is a practice that units humanity. Through previous works with India First and my MRM, I have made yoga a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity and national integration. Sanskrit verses, the verses of the Quran, the teachings of the Gita, and the examples of the world prove the universal nature of yoga. Adopting the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is a family), I urge everyone to include yoga in your life and create a healthy, peaceful and united India.
Sheeraz Qureshi, Advocate
National Convenor, India First
Author: Advocate Sheez Qureshi, National Convenor, India First
