Muslims: Keep Yourself Distinct from Other Religions
All praise is for Allāh Ta’ālā, for the bounty of Islām.
Islam covers every aspect of our lives, and we are pleased with the way taught to us in the Noble Qur’ān and Blessed Sunnah. Islam is enriching and brings peace of mind as a person develops in it. The Noble Qur’ān and Blessed Ahādīth teach us to hold firmly to its teachings and propagate them too. As Muslims, we have everything set out in an easy-to-follow pattern, from morning to evening, birth to death.
We hope that the reports presented below will aid every Muslim in understanding that his or her path is unique and there is no need at all to look to kuffar for anything. May Allāh Ta’ālā keep us steadfast upon Islām and bless us with the peace of mind and contentment of heart it bears. Āmīn
NOTE: The below narrations are meant to be read in light of the importance of maintaining distinction from the ways of non-Muslims. This is a larger point about how as believers we should orient ourselves — internally and externally — vis-a-vis the kuffar. The narrations should not be read in isolation in terms of specific fiqh rulings. Consult qualified fiqh scholars for any specific questions.
- Sayyidunā Ibn ‘Umar radiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever imitates a nation, then he is from amongst them.”[1]
- Sayyidunā Ibn Mas’ūd radiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever increases the number of a nation, then he is from amongst them. Whoever is pleased with the action of a group of people, then he is a partner in their action.”[2]
- Sayyidunā ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattāb radiyallāhu ‘anhu said, “Do not learn the vernacular of the foreigners and do not enter the temples of the polytheists on the days of the holidays, for (Allāh’s) anger descends upon them.”[3]
- Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Amr radiyallāhu ‘anhu said, “Whoever stays in the lands of the foreigners and celebrates their New Year’s Day (referring to the festivals of the disbelievers) and behaves like them until he dies, he shall be resurrected with them on the Day of Resurrection.”[4]
Note: The Noble Qur’ān and Blessed Sunnah, as well as the consensus of the Ummah indicate that Muslims must adopt their own unique way and refrain completely from imitating the non-Muslims in every aspect of life. Imitating the non-Muslims outwardly leads to imitating them in thought, habits and, we seek the protection of Allah, even in beliefs.
All the reports detailed in this article clearly show the dislike that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam had for the ways of the disbelievers. It follows that all Muslims must realize that the ways of Islam are the best and there is no need to turn and incline to un-Islāmic mannerisms and modes of thought.
- Purity: Sayyidunā Anas Ibn Mālik radiyallāhu ‘anhu said, “When the Jewish women would get their menses, they would not eat with the men and not even sleep with them in the house. When the Sahābah radiyallāhu ‘anhum asked, then verses about menses were revealed. Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam then said, “Everything is permitted besides intercourse.” News of this reached the Jews. They said, “This man does not want to leave any matter of ours, except that he wants to oppose us.”[5]
- Adhān: When Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam went to Madīnah Munawwarah, the Muslims discussed how to call the people for Salāh. Some opined that a fire should be used, others said that a bell could be used. However, other Sahābah radiyallāhu ‘anhum disagreed on the basis of these methods being the ways of Jews, Christians and other faiths. Finally, the Adhān was inspired to some of the Sahābah radiyallāhu ‘anhum.[6]
- Qiblah: When Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam migrated to Madīnah Munawwarah, he faced Bayt-ul-Muqaddas in the beginning. This pleased the Jews. Then he was commanded by Allāh Ta’ālā to change to the direction of the Ka’bah.[7]
- Day of Worship: The special day of worship for the Christians is Sunday and Saturday is for the Jews. The Muslims were given Jumu’ah, i.e., Friday, in opposition to the other faith groups.[8]
- Salāh: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “My Ummah will remain firm upon religion as long as they do not fall into three practices; i. they do not delay Maghrib, waiting for the darkness, imitating the Jews. ii. they do not delay Fajr until the stars have disappeared, imitating the Christians. iii. They do not hand over the Janāzah to its family members, i.e., they do not assist in the burial.”
- Janāzah: When following a Janāzah, Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam would not sit until it was placed into the grave. Once a Rabbi mentioned to him, “O Muhammad, we do the same.” Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam then sat down and said, “Oppose them.”[9]
- Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam prohibited us from making the graves of the Ambiyā’ into a direction of worship, since the Jews and Christians had done so.[10]
- Fasting: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “The difference between our fast and the fast of the Ahl-ul-Kitāb is the partaking of Suhūr.”[11]
- Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Fast on the day of ‘āshūrā’, and oppose the Jews. Fast one day before or one day after as well.”[12]
- Hajj: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam delivered a sermon at ‘Arafah and said, “The polytheists and idol-worshippers leave from here before the sun sets, when the sun is on the mountain tops like turbans on the heads of the people. Our way is to oppose their way. They leave from Muzdalifah when the sun rises on the mountain tops like the turbans on the heads of the people. Our way is to oppose their way.”[13]
- Recitation of the Noble Qur’ān: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Recite the Qur’ān in the Arab style and tone, i.e., correctly with simplicity, and refrain from the style and tone of the Ahl-ul-Kitāb and the sinners.”[14]
- Warfare: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam followed the army towards Khaybar whilst holding a bow. He passed by a man carrying a Persian bow. Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Throw it down, because it is accursed and accursed is the one who carries it. Hold firm onto the spear and Arabian bow. By them, Allāh Ta’ālā will grant honour to your religion and grant conquests.”[15]
- Slaughter of Animals: Rāfi’ Ibn Khadīj radiyallāhu ‘anhu said to Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “We will be facing the enemy tomorrow and we have no knives (for slaughtering). He said, “If you slaughter the animal with anything that causes its blood to flow out, and if Allāh’s name is mentioned on slaughtering it, then eat of it, unless the slaughtering instrument is a tooth or nail. I shall tell you why. As for the tooth, it is a bone, and as for the nail, it is the knife of the Ethiopians.”[16]
- Eating: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Do not eat meat using a knife, for it is the practice of non-Muslims, but bite it, it is more beneficial and wholesome.”[17]
- Marriage: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Marry, so that my Ummah can be the largest on the Day of Judgement, and do not be like the Christian monks.”[18]
- Clothing: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Abstain from the clothing of the monks. Whoever becomes a monk or imitate them is not of me.”[19]
- Hairstyle: Hajjāj Ibn Hassān radiyallāhu ‘anhu reports, “We went to meet Sayyidunā Anas radiyallāhu ‘anhu. My sister, Mughīrah, told me that at that time, I was a small boy and I had two plaits on my head. Sayyidunā Anas radiyallāhu ‘anhu passed his hand over my head, made du’ā’ of blessings for me and said, “Cut off these plaits because this is the style of the Jews.”[20]
- Beard & Moustache: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Oppose the polytheists. Trim the moustache and lengthen the beard.”[21]
- Dye: Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “The Jews and Christians do not use dye. Therefore, oppose them.”[22]
- Calendar: When Sayyidunā ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattāb radiyallāhu ‘anhu decided to establish a calendar, he decided to make one based on the Hijrah. Someone proposed that the calendar should be started at the birth of Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he was opposed to the idea because it resembled the Christian calendar.[23
Mufti Abdullah Moolla
