It should be known that opposing the polytheists and the People of the Book is enjoined by Sharee‘ah. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “Change [the color of] the grey hair, so that you will not resemble the Jews and Christians.” [Ahmad] [Abu Ya‘la] [At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh] [Ibn Hibbaan: Saheeh]
It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “Be different from the polytheists: trim the moustache and let the beard grow.” [Muslim]
It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “Trim the moustache and let the beard grow; be different from the Magians.” [Muslim]
Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar said, “The Messenger of Allah, , liked to comply with the People of the Book in everything concerning which he had not received a divine command, especially the things that opposed pagan practices. When Makkah was conquered and Islam was widespread, the Prophet, , liked to oppose the People of the Book as established by authentic Hadeeths.” [Fat-h Al-Baari] [Tuhfat Al-Ahwathi]
Ibn Taymiyyah said, “The Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet, , and the practice of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs that was agreed upon by scholars indicates opposing the polytheists, not imitating them.” [Al-Fataawa]
Muslims who imitate the disbelievers in their feasts and other things are in great danger. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “Whoever imitates a certain people becomes one of them.” [Ahmad] [Abu Daawood] [Ibn Hibbaan: Saheeh] Ibn Taymiyyah said, “The chain of narrators of this Hadeeth is good.” [Iqtidhaa’ As-Siraat Al-Mustaqeem] Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar said, “Abu Daawood narrated this Hadeeth through a good chain of narrators.” [Fat-h Al-Baari]
Ibn Taymiyyah said, “The least to be construed from the Hadeeth is the forbiddance of imitating the disbelievers, although the Hadeeth outwardly indicates that the Muslim who imitates them becomes a disbeliever.” [Al-Furoo‘] [Kashshaaf Al-Qinaa‘ Sharh Muntaha Al-Iraadaat]
Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “The reason behind this is that imitating the disbelievers in apparent practices leads to imitating them in intentions and deeds.” [I’laam Al-Muwaqqi‘een] He also said, “The Prophet, , forbade imitating the People of the Book many times elsewhere, because outward imitation leads to inward imitation, and when the deeds are similar, the hearts become similar.” [Ighaathat Al-Lahfaan]
As-San‘aani said, “The Hadeeth indicates that anyone who imitates immoral people becomes one of them. He also becomes like the disbelievers or innovators in religion if he dresses, rides, or appears like them. If the Muslim dresses like the disbelievers and believes that he is like them, he becomes a disbeliever. If he does not believe that, he is a disbeliever as outwardly indicated by the Hadeeth according to some jurists. Other jurists, however, think that he does not become a disbeliever, but he should be disciplined.” [Subul As-Salaam]
Ibn Taymiyyah said, “If this applies to imitating the disbelievers in their traditions, then how about imitating them in what is greater than this? The majority of scholars stated the undesirability -- either to signify strong or mild forbiddance -- for the Muslim to eat the animals slaughtered by the People of the Book for their feasts and religious offerings, because they are not intended for the sake of Allah The Almighty. Muslims are also forbidden to help them by offering them gifts or selling goods to them during their feasts. Scholars said that it is unlawful to sell the Christians meat, food, clothing or to lend them riding animals or help them with anything related to their religion, because this is a manner of glorifying their Shirk (polytheism) and help with their disbelief.” [Al-Fataawa]
Ibn Katheer said, “It is not permissible for Muslims to imitate the disbelievers in their feasts, holidays and acts of worship. That is because Allah The Almighty honored the Ummah with the Last Prophet, and to him He legislated this great, comprehensive and perfect religion. If Moosa ibn ‘Imraan, may Allah exalt his mention, to whom the Torah was revealed, and ‘Eesa ibn Maryam, may Allah exalt his mention, to whom the Gospel was revealed, were alive, they would not have a separate Sharee‘ah to be followed. If they had lived up to the time of Prophet Muhammad, , and even if all the prophets had lived up to that time, it would not have been acceptable for any of them to follow other than the purified, honored and glorified Sharee‘ah of Prophet Muhammad, .
Allah The Almighty blessed us by making us the followers of Muhammad . So, how is it that we imitate people who have themselves gone astray and were diverted from the sound way and misled many others? They have replaced their religion, tampered with it and misinterpreted it until it has become completely different from what had been legislated for them. Their religion is also abrogated, and it is forbidden to adhere to anything that is abrogated, for it is not accepted by Allah The Almighty and there is no difference between it and what was not legislated at all. Allah The Almighty guides whom He wills to the straight path.” [Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah]