How do we reconcile the Shaykh al-Islam’s foundational principle regarding the prohibition of imitating the disbelievers with our ruling on the permissibility of wearing trousers?
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The questioner : Shaykh, how do we reconcile the words of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and this foundation of his with our answer and fatwa to people regarding the permissibility of wearing trousers, now that it has become a known garment among Muslims? In itself, if we apply the words of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, first, it involves imitating the disbelievers, as it originally came from them. Second: it has harm in itself because it does not cover the awrah (the part of the body that must be covered) properly.
The Shaykh : In any case, in the beginning, the Shaykh’s words may apply to it regarding the conformity, and that it becomes a cause for the size of the body to be revealed, especially if it is tight. Then there is also a third reason, which is that it prevents the performance of the recommended practices of prayer as required. Therefore, prostration, sitting between the two prostrations, and the tashahhud (the testification recited while sitting in prayer) become difficult for them, and you find him in distress.
The questioner : So why do we not say that it is...
The Shaykh : The discussion on this will come to us, if Allah wills, that when the matter becomes widespread and common, there is no imitation. What remains is to consider whether it is harmful in itself or not. Yes.
The Shaykh : In any case, in the beginning, the Shaykh’s words may apply to it regarding the conformity, and that it becomes a cause for the size of the body to be revealed, especially if it is tight. Then there is also a third reason, which is that it prevents the performance of the recommended practices of prayer as required. Therefore, prostration, sitting between the two prostrations, and the tashahhud (the testification recited while sitting in prayer) become difficult for them, and you find him in distress.
The questioner : So why do we not say that it is...
The Shaykh : The discussion on this will come to us, if Allah wills, that when the matter becomes widespread and common, there is no imitation. What remains is to consider whether it is harmful in itself or not. Yes.