76- Ruling on imitating the Kafirs
Q: You know that a Muslim must have a distinctive identity, pursuant to the instructions of true Islam. They must maintain their appearance, clothes, abide by the purified Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), and refrain from imitating of the traditions of their society. Rather, they should follow Allah's Shariah (Islamic law) and the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ); given that some western traditions and Christian countries have intruded upon the Muslim world and intervened in some systems such as the military and civil service systems, and since the Messenger (ﷺ) ordered being contradictory to Jews and Christians in everything as it is mentioned in the Hadith: Do not imitate the Jews for anyone who imitates a people will be resurrected with them, The wording of this Hadith may be little different. Additionally, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stated: You will certainly follow the ways of those who preceded you shaft flight by shaft flight to the extent that if they enter a hole of a lizard, you will enter it too." They said: "Q Messenger ﷺ ) the Jews and the Christians?" He said: "Who else? Is a Muslim sinful for this imitation? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with the best!
A: Yes, a Muslim should be independent avoiding imitating those who oppose Allah, because Allah commands this. The Messenger (ﷺ) also warned this Ummah (community based on one creed) against following the ways of those who preceded them; the disbelieving nations, i.e, the Jews, the Christians, Magians, or other Kafirs (disbelievers). Thus, this indicates that Muslims should be distinct in what they wear in obedience to what Allah obligated and prescribed for them. They should also not imitate disbelievers in their manners, deeds, speech, feasts or clothes. This is why Imam (founder of a Madh-hab) Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him) related in an authentic Isnad (chain of narrators) on the authority of Ibn `Umar that the Prophet (ﷺ) stated in a long Hadith: And anyone who imitates a people is one of them) The beginning of the Hadith: (I have been sent ahead of the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) so that Allah will be worshipped Alone, and my provision has been placed under the shade of my spear, and humiliation and lowness have been decreed for those who disobey my command, and anyone who imitates a people is one of them.. Accordingly, it is the duty of all Mu`mins (believers) and Muslims to avoid imitating those who oppose Allah in everything and to be independent in their affairs so that they become distinct from their enemies and are known anywhere they go by their distinguished clothes. Islamic habits, traditions and behaviors. Yet, if something is common among Muslims and Kafirs, it will not be deemed as imitation, such as flying by planes or driving cars. These things have been first assumed by our enemies, but Allah has facilitated using them for us. These things are common things and are not types of imitation. Thus, it is allowed for us to use planes, trains or cars as they do. This also applies to the forces sought by Muslims in wars for the purpose of defending their Din (religion) of Islam and countries to be be in accordance with Allah's Statement: And make ready against them all you can of power) It is permissible for Muslims to take from their enemies whatever includes benefit to them, and this will not be considered imitation since it involves the development and attainment of public benefit to Muslims. This also is applicable to things which have become a custom among Muslims and Kafirs. Imitation lies in that which has become their customs and appearance. This means things that are useful to us and are not exclusively reserved for the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). We should not adorn ourselves with that which they are attributed by and has no use to us. Rather, we should only take what includes benefit. This is based on the Allah (may Allah be Exalted) says: And make ready against them all you can of power He (Glorified be He) states: Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): "Who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for His slaves, and At-Taiyyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) things] of food?") Caution, however, should be urged in affairs of their religion that deal with their appearance and manner, and does not belong to our Din. But, if it is something relevant to our Din that we use, and they imitate and share in, such as if they all let their beard grow, we should continue doing this, since we are ordered to do so. The same if they build a Masjid (mosque) and offer Salah (Prayer) therein, we should not consequently demolish our Masjids. We must abide by whatever is included in our Din even if they share in it. The same goes for systems which we benefit from, such as traffic, police and other systems which benefit the Ummah.
[Vol. 1, Page No. 196-201]
Q: You know that a Muslim must have a distinctive identity, pursuant to the instructions of true Islam. They must maintain their appearance, clothes, abide by the purified Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), and refrain from imitating of the traditions of their society. Rather, they should follow Allah's Shariah (Islamic law) and the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ); given that some western traditions and Christian countries have intruded upon the Muslim world and intervened in some systems such as the military and civil service systems, and since the Messenger (ﷺ) ordered being contradictory to Jews and Christians in everything as it is mentioned in the Hadith: Do not imitate the Jews for anyone who imitates a people will be resurrected with them, The wording of this Hadith may be little different. Additionally, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stated: You will certainly follow the ways of those who preceded you shaft flight by shaft flight to the extent that if they enter a hole of a lizard, you will enter it too." They said: "Q Messenger ﷺ ) the Jews and the Christians?" He said: "Who else? Is a Muslim sinful for this imitation? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with the best!
A: Yes, a Muslim should be independent avoiding imitating those who oppose Allah, because Allah commands this. The Messenger (ﷺ) also warned this Ummah (community based on one creed) against following the ways of those who preceded them; the disbelieving nations, i.e, the Jews, the Christians, Magians, or other Kafirs (disbelievers). Thus, this indicates that Muslims should be distinct in what they wear in obedience to what Allah obligated and prescribed for them. They should also not imitate disbelievers in their manners, deeds, speech, feasts or clothes. This is why Imam (founder of a Madh-hab) Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him) related in an authentic Isnad (chain of narrators) on the authority of Ibn `Umar that the Prophet (ﷺ) stated in a long Hadith: And anyone who imitates a people is one of them) The beginning of the Hadith: (I have been sent ahead of the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) so that Allah will be worshipped Alone, and my provision has been placed under the shade of my spear, and humiliation and lowness have been decreed for those who disobey my command, and anyone who imitates a people is one of them.. Accordingly, it is the duty of all Mu`mins (believers) and Muslims to avoid imitating those who oppose Allah in everything and to be independent in their affairs so that they become distinct from their enemies and are known anywhere they go by their distinguished clothes. Islamic habits, traditions and behaviors. Yet, if something is common among Muslims and Kafirs, it will not be deemed as imitation, such as flying by planes or driving cars. These things have been first assumed by our enemies, but Allah has facilitated using them for us. These things are common things and are not types of imitation. Thus, it is allowed for us to use planes, trains or cars as they do. This also applies to the forces sought by Muslims in wars for the purpose of defending their Din (religion) of Islam and countries to be be in accordance with Allah's Statement: And make ready against them all you can of power) It is permissible for Muslims to take from their enemies whatever includes benefit to them, and this will not be considered imitation since it involves the development and attainment of public benefit to Muslims. This also is applicable to things which have become a custom among Muslims and Kafirs. Imitation lies in that which has become their customs and appearance. This means things that are useful to us and are not exclusively reserved for the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). We should not adorn ourselves with that which they are attributed by and has no use to us. Rather, we should only take what includes benefit. This is based on the Allah (may Allah be Exalted) says: And make ready against them all you can of power He (Glorified be He) states: Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): "Who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for His slaves, and At-Taiyyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) things] of food?") Caution, however, should be urged in affairs of their religion that deal with their appearance and manner, and does not belong to our Din. But, if it is something relevant to our Din that we use, and they imitate and share in, such as if they all let their beard grow, we should continue doing this, since we are ordered to do so. The same if they build a Masjid (mosque) and offer Salah (Prayer) therein, we should not consequently demolish our Masjids. We must abide by whatever is included in our Din even if they share in it. The same goes for systems which we benefit from, such as traffic, police and other systems which benefit the Ummah.
[Vol. 1, Page No. 196-201]
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Creativity