The Effect of Intention on the Ruling Regarding Imitation

Question:
Is the condition imitation of the poor, and is the term "imitation" applied to poverty? Does the person intend to imitate or not?

Answer:
If he intends imitation in his heart, the matter is more severe. As for if we do not know whether he intended it or not, he is prohibited from it; the apparent evidence indicates this. We judge based on the apparent, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said . This is a general statement; no one comes and says, "I did not intend it, so the hadith does not include me." The hadith did not specify this; the hadith generalized it, and he said , and did not restrict this in the text.