Whoever imitates a people outwardly will eventually imitate them inwardly as well

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

[While discussing the things which are disliked in prayer, it was also mentioned about the belt or the rope which the Christian priests and nuns wear around their waist. And the Shaikh commented on that. (Please note that this is about imitating the Kuffaar in their religious attire and festivities).]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

مَنْ تَشبَّه بقومٍ فهو منهم

“Whoever imitates a people (in their actions), is considered to be one of them.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4031) and graded as “Hasan Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Shakh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said: “The very least that can be implied from this Hadeeth is that it is forbidden to imitate them (the Kuffaar), even if the apparent meaning implies that it is Kufr to do so.” [Iqtidhaa al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/270)]

Therefore, do not limit it to merely disliking it only, because we say: the defect in that is that (wearing the belt around the waist) is like imitating he Christians, and this is Haraam because of the statement of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: “Whoever imitates a people (in their actions), is considered to be one of them.” It doesn’t mean that he is a Kaafir but rather he is one of them in appearance and manners – in the things he imitates them in. And because of this, there is almost no difference between a person who imitates the Christians - in his dressing and appearance - and a Christian. In his appearance he is like them.

And another thing that was said is: imitating them (the Kuffaar) outwardly leads to imitating them inwardly and this is the reality. A person when he begins to outwardly imitate them (the Kuffaar), it (eventually) creates the (inner) feeling of agreeing with them and not abhorring (this act) and this leads to him in imitating them inwardly. He would be losing his Deen and his Dunya. The author’s [1] view of limiting this act - of wearing of belt/rope, which is imitation (of the Christians) - to something which is “disliked” is disputable; rather the correct opinion is that it is forbidden.

But if someone says: “I did not intend to imitate (them).” We say: Imitation is not in need of having an intention because imitation is done in shape and form (appearance), and if it occurs, then you have imitated them whether you have intended it or not. But if you have intended it, then it becomes more severe and more grave in magnitude; [2] because if you had intended it, then it means that you have done it out of love and respect for them and what they are upon. So we stop everyone we find imitating them outwardly from imitating them (at all), irrespective of the person intending it or not. The intention is an act which is done inwardly and which cannot be perceived. But as for imitation, then it is an act which is done outwardly, and we prohibit him on the basis of what is apparent to us. [3]

[Sharh al-Mumti` (2/196-197)]

[1] The author of Zaad al-Mustaqni` - the book which Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen was explaining.

[2] In a narration attributed to `Abdullaah ibn `Amr رضي الله عنه that he said: “Whoever settles in the land of the non-Arabs and celebrates their Nawrooz (New Year) and Mahrajaan (festival) and imitates them until he dies (in that state), will be gathered with them on the Day of Resurrection.” [al-Baihaqee in Sunan al-Kubraa (18863, 18864)]

[3] This is like how Ameer al-Mu’mineen, `Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه had said.

Narrated `Umar bin Al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه: “People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of a Divine Inspiration during the lifetime of Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم but now there is no longer any more (new revelation). Now we judge you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will trust and favor the one who does good deeds in front of us, and we will not call him to account about what he is really doing in secret, for Allaah will judge him for that; but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2460)]