Imitation of the Disbelievers That Is Prohibited
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The first and second questions of Fatwa No. ( 4566 ):
Q 1, 2: What is the imitation that is prohibited? Is it limited to what concerns them specifically, or does it include what has become widespread and is practiced by both Muslims and disbelievers, even if its origin comes from the lands of disbelief, as is the case with trousers and Western-style dresses? And if it is practiced only by the open sinners among Muslims and not by the righteous ones,
does it also become an instance of imitation if the righteous Muslims practice it? What is the ruling on wearing Western-style clothing in the manner that the majority of people, both Muslims and disbelievers, do now? Is it merely imitation? And if it involves imitating the disbelievers, what is the degree of prohibition or dislike? Is there also a dislike because the trousers outline the private parts? If there is a dislike, is it a prohibitive dislike or a recommended dislike? And which private parts are intended by the outlining? Is it the major private parts, or does it include the thighs as well? And if this matter (which is outlining the major private parts and the thighs) can be avoided as much as possible by wearing loose trousers, does the dislike remain? And what is the ruling on wearing tight or fitted trousers that have no slack on the leg except for a little?
A 1, 2: The imitation of the disbelievers that is prohibited means imitating them in the customs that are specific to them and in what they have innovated in religion regarding beliefs and acts of worship; such as imitating them in shaving the beard and tying the sash, and in the seasons and festivals they have adopted, and their exaggeration in the righteous by calling upon them for aid, circumambulating their graves, and slaughtering animals for them, and striking the bell, and hanging the cross around the neck or on the houses, or adopting it as a tattoo on the hand, for example, out of reverence for it and belief in what the Christians believe. The ruling on imitating them varies; it may be disbelief, such as imitating them in calling upon the people of the graves for aid and seeking blessing from the cross
and adopting it as a symbol. It may be merely forbidden, such as shaving the beard and congratulating them on their festivals. And perhaps laxity in imitating them in what is forbidden will lead to disbelief, may Allah protect us from that. As for wearing trousers, suits, and the like of clothing, the Permanent Committee has issued a fatwa on this, the text of which is: The original ruling for types of clothing is permissibility; because it is a matter of custom. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-A'raf 7:32] the verse. Excluded from this is what the evidence of the Shari'ah indicates is forbidden or disliked, such as silk for men, and what reveals the private parts because it is transparent and the color of the skin is seen through it, or because it is tight and outlines the private parts; because in that case, it is considered as exposing them, and exposing them is not permissible. And like clothing that is a distinctive mark of the disbelievers, it is not permissible for men or women to wear it; due to the prohibition of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of imitating them. And like men wearing women's clothing, and women wearing men's clothing; due to the prohibition of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of men imitating women and women imitating men. And the clothing called trousers and shirts is not something whose wearing is specific to the disbelievers, but it is general clothing among Muslims and disbelievers in many countries and states. And only do souls feel aversion to wearing that in some countries; due to lack of familiarity and contrary to the custom of its inhabitants in clothing, even if that is in accordance with the custom of other Muslims. But it is better for the Muslim, if he is in a country where its people are not accustomed
to that clothing, not to wear it in prayer, nor in public gatherings, nor in the streets. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers upon our Prophet Muhammad , and his family and his Companions, and peace.
Q 1, 2: What is the imitation that is prohibited? Is it limited to what concerns them specifically, or does it include what has become widespread and is practiced by both Muslims and disbelievers, even if its origin comes from the lands of disbelief, as is the case with trousers and Western-style dresses? And if it is practiced only by the open sinners among Muslims and not by the righteous ones,
does it also become an instance of imitation if the righteous Muslims practice it? What is the ruling on wearing Western-style clothing in the manner that the majority of people, both Muslims and disbelievers, do now? Is it merely imitation? And if it involves imitating the disbelievers, what is the degree of prohibition or dislike? Is there also a dislike because the trousers outline the private parts? If there is a dislike, is it a prohibitive dislike or a recommended dislike? And which private parts are intended by the outlining? Is it the major private parts, or does it include the thighs as well? And if this matter (which is outlining the major private parts and the thighs) can be avoided as much as possible by wearing loose trousers, does the dislike remain? And what is the ruling on wearing tight or fitted trousers that have no slack on the leg except for a little?
A 1, 2: The imitation of the disbelievers that is prohibited means imitating them in the customs that are specific to them and in what they have innovated in religion regarding beliefs and acts of worship; such as imitating them in shaving the beard and tying the sash, and in the seasons and festivals they have adopted, and their exaggeration in the righteous by calling upon them for aid, circumambulating their graves, and slaughtering animals for them, and striking the bell, and hanging the cross around the neck or on the houses, or adopting it as a tattoo on the hand, for example, out of reverence for it and belief in what the Christians believe. The ruling on imitating them varies; it may be disbelief, such as imitating them in calling upon the people of the graves for aid and seeking blessing from the cross
and adopting it as a symbol. It may be merely forbidden, such as shaving the beard and congratulating them on their festivals. And perhaps laxity in imitating them in what is forbidden will lead to disbelief, may Allah protect us from that. As for wearing trousers, suits, and the like of clothing, the Permanent Committee has issued a fatwa on this, the text of which is: The original ruling for types of clothing is permissibility; because it is a matter of custom. Allah the Exalted said:
Say, "Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?"
قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِto that clothing, not to wear it in prayer, nor in public gatherings, nor in the streets. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers upon our Prophet Muhammad , and his family and his Companions, and peace.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.