Tasabbuh (Trying to Resemblance Others)

Muslims are obliged to refrain from imitating the customs and traditions of Kuffar (infidels). Because it either leads one to Kufr (disbelief) or weakens their iman (faith).

Allâh Ta‘âlâ says: “And whoever opposes the Prophet after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way (in faith, acts and obedience to Allah, His Rasul and Ulul-Amr). We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and drive him to the Hell – what an evil destination.”(Surah al-Nisa, verse115)

Allâh Azza Wa Jalla informs us about the parables of previous ummahs (communities) in many verses in His Noble Book and cautions us against the Kufr (disbelief), thulm (oppression) and conceitedness they fell into so that we can avoid becoming like them.

Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “He is not from us who tries to resemble people other than us.”

“Oppose the traditions of mushriks (polytheists)”. Our Nabi Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam enjoins us to detest the mushriks and their ways so that we do not love or befriend them, nor do they love or befriend us. Because, man by nature, is likely to be affected by the ways of others.

Aqeel as-Sulami (Rahmatullâhi Alayhi), a Hadith Alim, said: “Allâh Ta‘âlâ revealed to one of the prophets He sent to Banu Israel: “Tell your people that they should not eat from the (Haram) food of those who oppose me and who are My enemies, and they should not drink from their (Haram) drinks. Tell them not to imitate their appearance. Otherwise, your people will be among My enemies.”

A person who follows Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam should abstain from what he abstained from. A person who follows the ways of people whom Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam abstained from will have opposed Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

Hulbu’t-Ta’i Radhiyallâhu Anhu reported that Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “Let no desire awaken in your heart that will make you resemble Christians.”