Whoever imitates a people is one of them
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whoever imitates a people is one of them."
«مَن تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ».
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that whoever imitates some people - disbelievers, sinners, or righteous - by engaging in any of their peculiar traits, such as their creeds, acts of worship, or habits, becomes one of them. This is because outward imitation of them leads to inward imitation. In fact, imitation of any people indicates admiration of them, and it may result in loving, respecting, and inclining toward them, which may also prompt a person to even imitate them inwardly and in their worship - Allah forbid.
...:
We are warned of imitating disbelievers and wicked people.
We are urged to imitate the righteous and follow in their footsteps.
Outward imitation brings about inward love.
A person will be sinful and worthy of punishment in accordance with the type and degree of his imitation of them.
The prohibition regarding the imitation of the disbelievers pertains to their religion and peculiar habits. Other things, like learning professions and so on, do not fall under this prohibition.
Sunan Abi Dawood (6/ 144) (4031).
Musnad Ahmad (9/ 126) (5115).
More (8)
توضيح الأحكام من بلوغ المرام.
للبسام (7/ 363).
منحة العلام في شرح بلوغ المرام.
لعبد الله الفوزان (10/ 157).
فتح ذي الجلال والاكرام بشرح بلوغ المرام.
لابن عثيمين (6/ 335).
مشكاة المصابيح.
للتبريزي (2/ 1246).
Cited in books
13 Books- Encyclopedia of Pulpit Sermons موسوعة الخطب المنبرية (القسم الثاني)"Whoever imitates a people is one of them."
- Studies on the Fundamentals of Religion1“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
- A Set of Questions of Importance to the Muslim Family1“Anyone who imitates a people is one of them.”
- A Set of Questions of Importance to the Muslim Family1“Anyone who imitates a people is considered to be one of them.”
- مشروع المنهج التعليميمادة التوحيد مستوى 4 "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."
- مشروع المنهج التعليميمادة التوحيد مستوى 4 "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."
More (7)
- حكم المستهزئين بالأنبياء والمرسلين«مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»[6]،
- قاموس الكبائرموسوعة الكبائر - المجموعة الثالثة«مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ» [78].
- قاموس الكبائرموسوعة الكبائر - المجموعة الرابعة«مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»[73].
- قاموس الكبائرموسوعة الكبائر - المجموعة الرابعة«مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»[123].
- قاموس الكبائرموسوعة الكبائر - المجموعة الخامسة«مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»
- ما لا يسع أطفال المسلمين جهله«مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»[128].
- نبراس طالب (5)1«مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»