TASHABBUH (TRYING TO RESEMBLE OTHERS)

Tashabbuh is the resemblance of a person to another in physical appearance, clothing, lifestyle, character, attributes, and qualities or trying to resemble them by imitating their ways.

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

Allah Ta‘ala 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, Ayah 115)

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

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “He is not from us who tries to resemble people other than us.” and “Oppose the traditions of the Mushriks (polytheists)”. Our Nabi (sallallahu 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.

Aqil as-Sulami (rahmatullahi alayhi), a Hadith Alim, said: “Allah Ta‘ala revealed to one of the prophets He sent to Banu Isra‘il: “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 Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) should abstain from what he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) abstained from.

 A person who follows the ways of people whom Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stayed away from will have opposed Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

Hulbu’t-Ta’i (radiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Let no desire awaken in your heart that will make you resemble the Christians.”