202 – A discussion of this ḥadīth and others: pointing out a mistake on the part of Ibn al-Qayyim, a shortcoming on the part of Ibn Kathīr, and the indication within the report that resemblance is blameworthy even when it is not intended.
203 3 – “I have been sent ahead of the Hour … and whoever imitates a people is counted among them”: its documentation through a ḥasan chain, along with a corroborating narration that is likewise ḥasan.
204 – Ibn Taymiyyah’s use of the report as proof that imitating the unbelievers is forbidden, his clarification of what is meant by “imitation,” and his citation of the consensus that such imitation is at least disliked.
206 – A demonstration that the ruling is intelligible: external appearance influences the inner state, for good or for ill; followed by Ibn Taymiyyah’s unique remarks in support of this principle.
210 – Evidence for the point taken from the ḥadith, “Straighten your rows or Allah will cause discord among your faces and hearts,” together with its documentation; plus two additional ḥadiths that forbid those assembled from scattering when they sit— all underscoring the link between the outward and the inward.
211 – The ḥadith: “Why do I see you in scattered groups?” and an explanation of the word ʿizīn (scattered cliques).
211 – And the ḥadith: “Your dispersal among these valleys … is from Satan,” which warns that division in matters of religion—such as the prayer—is even more serious than dispersal in the valleys.
213 – The eighth condition: that one’s clothing not be a garment of ostentation (libās shuhrah).
213 – Included here is his ﷺ statement: “Whoever wears a garment of ostentation in this world …,” together with its explanation, documentation, and supporting reports.
215 – A summary of the foregoing conditions and the affirmation that every Muslim must see to their fulfillment within his own household.