Learning kung fu and other self defense exercises

Q: Is it permissible to learn kung fu for fitness, self defence and other legal extreme purposes, without reciting any thing, only to learn that art (strictly with out any chants etc.) Could you please tell me? If not then with what niyyat we can learn these kind of things like yoga, exercises (strictly without any chanting for only permissible and clear intention).

A: If it has got any connotations of shirk or it amounts to any kind of disobedience to Allah Ta`ala then this art must be forsaken.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)