Imitating them in dress, speech, and other matters, for such imitation denotes the imitator’s affection for the people imitated. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever imitates a people is counted among them.” Consequently, it is unlawful to imitate the disbelievers in anything that is distinctive to them—whether customs, acts of worship, outward appearance, or manners—such as shaving the beard, letting the moustache grow long, speaking their language without need, or adopting their particular styles in clothing, food, drink, and so forth.

Residing in their lands and refusing to move to Muslim territories in order to safeguard one’s religion. In this sense migration becomes obligatory for a Muslim who is able to undertake it, for remaining in a land of unbelief when capable of emigrating is not excused. Allah the Exalted says: “Indeed, those whose souls the angels take while they had wronged themselves, the angels will say, ‘In what condition were you?’ They will reply, ‘We were oppressed in the land.’ The angels will say, ‘Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?’ For such people their refuge is Hell—what an evil destination! Except for the helpless among men, women, and children who are powerless to plan or find a way. For these it may be that Allah will pardon them, and Allah is ever Pardoning, Forgiving.” ⦗1⦘ Thus Allah excuses no one for remaining in lands of unbelief except those who are powerless to migrate, or those whose presence there yields a clear religious benefit—such as calling people to Allah and spreading Islam among them.

Another manifestation of loyalty to the disbelievers is travelling to their countries for sightseeing and personal enjoyment. Such travel is forbidden unless there is a necessity—medical treatment, commerce, or acquiring beneficial specialisations unobtainable except by going there. Even then, the journey is permissible only to the extent of the need, and once the need ends one must return to Muslim lands. It is also a condition for the permissibility of this travel that the person openly displays his religion, takes pride in his Islam, and keeps away