• Our righteous predecessors in the blessed early generations understood this principle perfectly and put it into practice. The author proves this by citing their consensus in warning Muslims against imitation, their vigilance in blocking every avenue that might lead to it, and the countless statements, actions, and positions transmitted from them—many of which he has presented.

Muslims today must grasp this reality, live by it, and exercise caution regarding everything that emanates from the disbelievers—be it beliefs, ideas, cultures, customs, fashions, or anything else.

Although the disbelievers now excel in worldly matters, they possess nothing that can guide Muslims to the truth or lead them to honor, victory, and happiness. That guidance lies only in returning to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and in holding fast to Islam in its true sense.

As for benefiting from the disbelievers’ industries, applied sciences, and the like, this is a different matter altogether and has no bearing on the question of imitation. These sciences and technologies are not the exclusive property of the disbelievers—even if they presently monopolize them—for they are human capabilities available to anyone who seeks, develops, and masters them, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

Likewise, importing their manufactured goods and the knowledge behind them is not considered imitation, for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) made use of clothing, utensils, and similar items produced by non-Muslims.

Only when the transfer of technology is accompanied by the adoption of their customs, traditions, systems, and everything that is distinctive to them does the prohibited imitation occur; that is the real danger.