Is it permissible to draw mandalas as a form of art and decoration, especially since they have moved from being associated with worship or paganism, and without following rules similar to those of pagans, by analogy with the permissibility of practicing yoga as a sport?
It has been previously established that drawing mandalas is forbidden due to its association with paganism. Yoga is absolutely forbidden because it imitates disbelievers and is one of their pagan rituals, even if the intention is good. This is supported by the Prophet's prohibition of praying at sunrise and sunset, because disbelievers prostrate to the sun at these two times, thus constituting an imitation of them. Islamic law forbids imitating disbelievers, even in outward appearance, and even if the intention differs, as long as the act is specific to them. What Allah has permitted as lawful is sufficient, without resorting to pagan rituals that promote polytheism.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/2004
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 2004
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy