Interesting reaction I'm getting from another forum

[Wolfn]

Salaam alikum.

As some/many of you know, I'm planning to start training in the bujinkan martial arts after Ramadan ends next month, inshallah.

Now, there's a position in bujinkan where before and after class, the students and teacher bow toward a shrine with a picture of the teacher/soke similar in style to salaat:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb28/wolfn89/bujinkan/bujinkan2.jpg


Now, I go to a Martial Arts forum and asked if it would be all right if I didn't bow towards the shrine. This thread has become very active and everyone's arguing about their sides. Some say it's not religious and that it's just respect to the teacher, no to mention that bowing is a sign of respect in Asian cultures. Others say that bowing towards the shrine is equivilent to a Muslim having to wear a cross on a necklace because that's what a school requires or something.

Everyone is arguing on the thread on what to do. However, everyone in the forum (Christian, Jew, Atheist, Shinto, Buddhist, etc) says that they think it's honorable that I'm putting religion first by refusing to bow towards a shrine.



Anyways, I've e-mailed my instructer and he says I don't have to bow if I don't want to.

[aisha2007]

Salaam alikum.

As some/many of you know, I'm planning to start training in the bujinkan martial arts after Ramadan ends next month, inshallah.

Now, there's a position in bujinkan where before and after class, the students and teacher bow toward a shrine with a picture of the teacher/soke similar in style to salaat:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb28/wolfn89/bujinkan/bujinkan2.jpg


Now, I go to a Martial Arts forum and asked if it would be all right if I didn't bow towards the shrine. This thread has become very active and everyone's arguing about their sides. Some say it's not religious and that it's just respect to the teacher, no to mention that bowing is a sign of respect in Asian cultures. Others say that bowing towards the shrine is equivilent to a Muslim having to wear a cross on a necklace because that's what a school requires or something.

Everyone is arguing on the thread on what to do. However, everyone in the forum (Christian, Jew, Atheist, Shinto, Buddhist, etc) says that they think it's honorable that I'm putting religion first by refusing to bow towards a shrine.



Anyways, I've e-mailed my instructer and he says I don't have to bow if I don't want to.

quite right too....my friends husband is an instructor and he doesnt bow nor allow his students to bow....regardless of their religion.
the only person we bow to for whatever reason is Allah.
May Allah reward you for your efforts akhi!!! Ameen,

[Kal-El]

There's no harm in following the cultural practises of others if they're not making you compromise your own faith; bowing with the intention of only showing respect should be fine. It's not a religious practice but a form of salutation.

[Wolfn]

There's no harm in following the cultural practises of others if they're not making you compromise your own faith; bowing with the intention of only showing respect should be fine. It's not a religious practice but a form of salutation.


But I'm not going to prostrate myself to anyone or anything except Allah (SWT). Even though I understand the culture and tradition, I still won't bow to a shrine or anything.

[aisha2007]

But I'm not going to prostrate myself to anyone or anything except Allah (SWT). Even though I understand the culture and tradition, I still won't bow to a shrine or anything.

Alhamdulillah well said bro :up:

[zaki]

There's no harm in following the cultural practises of others if they're not making you compromise your own faith; bowing with the intention of only showing respect should be fine. It's not a religious practice but a form of salutation.


Akhi, we should only follow what the Quran says, we bow only to Allah, we shouldn't even follow culture in the religion, we should only follow what the Quran and the teachings of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) says, we dont add things nor take out things of this religion.

[A_Muminah]

As-salaamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaah,
There's no harm in following the cultural practises of others if they're not making you compromise your own faith; bowing with the intention of only showing respect should be fine. It's not a religious practice but a form of salutation.


We actually had a similar discussion today in my ethics class because my professor was VERY offended by the fact that a male Muslim student refused to shake her hand when she offered. Her reasoning was pretty much what you said, that he had come to her office, i.e her 'turf, her ground, her world' so he should follow her form of greeting to respect her culture.

The thing though about Islaam is that it is a set. We do not compromise with anything in the religion because that is how Allaah has willed it to be. It is not a set of laws that if we feel are outdated at some point, we will 'upgrade'. These laws are 'set in stone'. Never-changing.

I hope you understand the message I am trying to convey.

Wofln - Great Job, Masha-Allaah. I am so proud of how you are standing up for your deen and actually putting it into practice. May Allaah always protect you and guide you upon the Straight Path, Aameen.

Was-Salaamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh

[afrasayab]

There's no harm in following the cultural practises of others if they're not making you compromise your own faith; bowing with the intention of only showing respect should be fine. It's not a religious practice but a form of salutation.

absolutly wrong! the only one you bow to is Allah. Never should we compromise our religion for some stupid ritual or practice.

[abdulhakeem]

There's no harm in following the cultural practises of others if they're not making you compromise your own faith; bowing with the intention of only showing respect should be fine. It's not a religious practice but a form of salutation.


Is this allowed? (http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139893)