The Shaykh al-Islam states that the general category of differing from the disbelievers is something commanded, even though there are things we are commanded to do that agree with them?
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The questioner : The Shaykh mentions that the Shaykh al-Islam stated that the general category of differing from them is something commanded, and indeed, everything that involves differing from the Jews and the Christians is commanded. The discussion has already been presented, and from it, it is understood that there are things that have a resemblance to them, yet they are commanded in the religion.
The Shaykh : No, his intention, may Allah have mercy on him, is regarding matters where agreement is not prescribed. As for what is prescribed where there is agreement, that is a command for us and for them. But as for what is specific to them, the general category of differing is a required matter. The author will mention examples that clarify this. When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah, he let his hair hang down, while the Arabs used to part their hair. When he arrived in Madinah, he let his hair hang down as the Jews did. Then, afterwards, he parted his hair, because initially the Arabs were polytheists, and agreeing with the Jews, the People of the Book, was less severe than agreeing with the polytheists. So when Makkah was conquered and the Arabs became Muslim believers, he turned away from that and began to differ from the Jews, so he would part his hair.
We took three.
The Shaykh : No, his intention, may Allah have mercy on him, is regarding matters where agreement is not prescribed. As for what is prescribed where there is agreement, that is a command for us and for them. But as for what is specific to them, the general category of differing is a required matter. The author will mention examples that clarify this. When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah, he let his hair hang down, while the Arabs used to part their hair. When he arrived in Madinah, he let his hair hang down as the Jews did. Then, afterwards, he parted his hair, because initially the Arabs were polytheists, and agreeing with the Jews, the People of the Book, was less severe than agreeing with the polytheists. So when Makkah was conquered and the Arabs became Muslim believers, he turned away from that and began to differ from the Jews, so he would part his hair.
We took three.