Imitating Disbelievers

Imitating Disbelievers

Imitating means that the imitator adopts the beliefs, actions, attire, or other characteristics specific to those whom they imitate.

Allah, the Exalted, says:

 وَلَنْ ‌تَرْضَى ‌عَنْكَ ‌الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَى وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ [البقرة: 120].

[Never will the Jews or Christians be pleased with you, until you follow their faith. Say, “Allah’s guidance is the only ˹true˺ guidance.” And if you were to follow their desires after ˹all˺ the knowledge that has come to you, there would be none to protect or help you against Allah.] 2:120.

Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, explained that this verse contains a warning and a threat to the Ummah (community) against following the ways of the Jews and Christians after being informed by the Quran and the Sunnah. We Seek refuge in Allah from such actions.

Allah further says:

 وَلَا ‌تَكُونُوا ‌كَالَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا وَاخْتَلَفُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ وَأُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ﴾ [آل عمران: 105])

[And do not be like those who split ˹into sects˺ and differed after clear proofs had come to them. It is they who will suffer a tremendous punishment.] 3:105

This verse refers to the Jews and Christians, and we are prohibited from being like them.

Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."[1]

Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, stated that this hadith, in its various narrations, indicates the prohibition of imitating non-Muslims.

Amr bin Shu'aib reported from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "He is not one of us who imitates other than us. Do not imitate the Jews nor the Christians. For indeed the greeting of the Jews is pointing the finger, and the greeting of the Christians is waving with the hand."[2]

The evidence supporting this prohibition is extensive, to the extent that Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, stated that there are over a hundred pieces of evidence.

Criterion for Imitation:

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, outlined the criterion for imitation, stating that it involves adopting the distinctive features of those being imitated. Imitating disbelievers, therefore, entails a Muslim adopting something exclusive to them. However, if a practice becomes widespread among Muslims and is no longer distinctive to disbelievers, it does not constitute imitation.

Scenarios for Imitating Disbelievers:

1. Religious Scenario: When it comes to matters of creed, worship, and celebrations, imitation of disbelievers is categorically prohibited.

2. Ordinary Scenario: In everyday aspects like clothing, if the attire is specific to disbelievers and not practiced by Muslims, imitation is forbidden. However, if it is not exclusive to them, then imitation is not prohibited.

3. Worldly Scenario: In worldly affairs, such as administrative organization, military plans, and systems that do not conflict with Islamic Sharia, imitation is not forbidden.

Consequences of Imitating Disbelievers:

1. External Imitation Yields Internal Imitation: Imitating them externally may lead to internal imitation in beliefs and character.

2. Hudaifah, may Allah be pleased with him, cautioned against adopting their appearance, as it may eventually lead to adopting their character.

3. Imitation often originates from personal weakness, psychological defeat, and admiration for what they represent.

For this reason, Allah has guided towards emulating the messengers, may peace and blessings be upon them, due to the qualities bestowed upon them by Allah that qualify them for emulation.

Ibn Khaldun stated: Therefore, you observe the defeated imitating the victorious in their attire, ride, and weaponry.' It is noteworthy that resembling disbelievers is a step towards erasing Islamic identity and dissolving into the global milieu; we seek Allah's protection.

Imitating them in the rituals of their religion is considered an endorsement of their false beliefs.

Thus concludes the twenty-fifth lesson, all praise be to Allah.