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twktcc
02-17-2001, 08:08 PM
Hello all !
First off let me state i dont want this to be a theological post. I am seeking guidance/opinions on a specific matter.
My very good friend is orthodox muslim. He is also interested in learning taiji and perhaps qigong. I however dont know enough about taiji/qigong or islam to answer questions to if it is permissable for him to train with me.
For example: Music isnt permissable, not that is is necessary but is is the norm. "Meditaion" is not permissible either, ( the kind with visualizations, asking for guidance from the great beyond).
Here is my view:
Taiji is moving qigong, it quiets the mind, relaxes the body and lets it just be (allowing for it to do what is has always been capable of).
The qigong i am learning is standing... there is no visualizations at all, we are just told " relax, breath naturally/ deeply in the lungs, be happy, and occasionally look at the tip of the nose" while we are going through the qigong movements
I have heard of "muslim hsing i", and as that is an internal art as well there must be some way for these things to coexist the nejia arts and islam.
Any and all help/opinions in any of these areas is greatly appreciated even if it just your opinion....
Thankyou in advance.
Dave

"If you show yourself, you will not be seen.
If you affirm yourself, you will not shine.
If you boast, you will have no merit.
If you promote yourself, you will have no success."

JerryLove
02-17-2001, 11:13 PM
Most muslems do not have anything that strict. I don't see why meditation in particular would be disallowed, there is plenty of reference to Muhammed doing it. Oh well, perhaps there is another orthadox muslem who can answer better. The only other thing I can offer is to talk it over with him (or if he is young, his parents). There is an Islamic tennent to learn a fighting art.

twktcc
02-18-2001, 02:39 AM
Thank you for the reply jerry. From what ive observed over the last five yrs with my friend (he is 47 and has been muslim for 25+ yrs) is that every aspect of life is governed by islam.
He is a martial artist, he teaches an eclectic style, very "external" in nature.
He is seeking the health/ stress relief/ balance/ centeredness/ internal strength/ and any martial aspects that come along with the pack. Arent we all ;)
It is more my lack of understanding and not having the ability to explain or answer necessary questions.
Are there any Muslim martial artist here internal or not ? Please feel free to e mail me privatly if you are more comfortable. twktcc@aol.com
Regards,
Dave

"If you show yourself, you will not be seen.
If you affirm yourself, you will not shine.
If you boast, you will have no merit.
If you promote yourself, you will have no success."

GLW
02-18-2001, 05:39 AM
Check out the book Chinese Moslems and Wushu.

The ethnic group, Hui, are primarily Moslem. Many of them lived in an area around Cong Xiang in northern China. It was so well known for its martial arts, that the escort caravans would cease beating their drums and take down their banners when passing through the area out of respect for their skill and fear of challenging the wrong person.

Wan Ziping, famed Zha Quan stylist was born in this area. He became famous throughout china for his strength, and his abilities with his wrestling and Zha quan techniques. So much so, that he was the first head of the Shaolin division of the Nanjing Central Guoshu Guan.

Wang was a Moslem his entire life and was actually one of the respected elders in the Moslem community in every place he lived.

He was a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and quite well know for his healing skills. He formulated the 13 Tai Bao Gong Qi gong exercises as well as the 20 Postures for health and Longevity (another Qi Gong set well known in China). the 18 Liang Gong Qi gong postures are based in large part on Wang's 20 posture method.

Wang lived his beliefs every day and found no conflicts with being Moslem and martial arts and Qi gong.

twktcc
02-18-2001, 03:50 PM
this is the kind of info i was/ am seeking !
regards,
dave

Tzu Jan Mustapha
02-18-2001, 04:49 PM
I am a Muslim. I train in Tai Zhu Chang Chuan and Nei Gung.

In fact the Sufi Orders of Indonesia and the middle east train in Silat and there is internal training that they include.

Also note the previous Hui Muslim connection.

Everything is allowed in Islam as long as it does not contradict the Quran.

Hope this helps.

:D :D

Tzu Jan Mustapha

twktcc
02-18-2001, 05:09 PM
Thankyou for your reply ! I greatly appreciate it !
Regards,
Dave

"If you show yourself, you will not be seen.
If you affirm yourself, you will not shine.
If you boast, you will have no merit.
If you promote yourself, you will have no success."

TigerFork
02-20-2001, 03:33 PM
probably not adding much, but...

there was also a strong muslim population in southern china (from memory fujian province, where the southern shaolin temples also where/are)
there is a grave site there that apparently contains the remains of some very important prophets of islam (sorry i can't remember more specifics)