—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “Whoever imitates a people is counted among them.”

Abu Dāwūd likewise transmits—through ʿAmr ibn Shuʿayb, from his father, from his grandfather—that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever imitates people other than us is not of us. Do not imitate the Jews or the Christians.”

Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah—may Allah have mercy on him—remarked: “Opposing them is a purpose intended by the Lawgiver. Outward resemblance fosters affection, love, and loyalty in the heart, just as inward love gives rise to outward imitation; this is something verified by both sense and experience. Resembling them in matters that are not part of our sacred law can reach the level of prohibition—indeed, in some cases it is deemed a major sin, and, depending on the textual evidence, may even amount to disbelief. The Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the consensus all indicate the command to differ from the unbelievers and the prohibition of imitating them in general. Whenever something is a likely cause of hidden, ungovernable corruption, the ruling is attached to that likelihood and the prohibition revolves around it. Outward imitation of them leads to adopting their blameworthy manners, deeds, and even beliefs; the extent of that influence cannot be precisely limited. The corruption that stems from such imitation may not be immediately apparent, and removing it can be difficult—if not impossible.”