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Alternative and Complementary Medicine in Islam

21 August, 2024
Q What does Islam say about alternative and complementary medicine such as energy healing, yoga, reiki, etc.?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


In this fatwa:

Complementary treatments such as yoga, energy healing, reiki, and the like have two dimensions: spiritual and physical. If it is possible to extract the physical aspect alone and to separate it from its pagan backgrounds and if its independent benefit in treating some physical ailments is proven, then there is no harm in it.


Answering your question, The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America, states:

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Complementary treatments such as yoga, energy healing, reiki, and the like have two dimensions: spiritual and physical. If it is possible to extract the physical aspect alone and to separate it from its pagan backgrounds and if its independent benefit in treating some physical ailments is proven, then there is no harm in it.

This is a common matter among many medical practices that our scholars have accepted, provided that the treatment does not retain any pagan influences, and the patient does not hold beliefs contrary to the correct faith.

In such cases, it would be considered permissible as a customary practice. However, any meditations and spiritual immersions with pagan origins are not permissible, as they revolve between polytheism (Shirk) and innovation (Bid`ah). Shariah remembrances (Dhikr) and general physical exercises could be more than sufficient.

Read also:

Are Alternative Methods of Meditation Allowed for Muslims?

Is Yoga Haram?

Is Reiki Haram?

Almighty Allah knows best.

Source: AMJA Online

About AMJA
Permanent Fatwa Committee of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA)