Assalamu alaikum, Thank you very much for answering my previous questions. I have some confusion about imitating kafirs. Can we imitate them in things that are by themselves permissible in Islam, while keeping the intention in mind that we are not doing it to copy kafirs, but just because it is a permissible thing itself? For example, a Muslim woman sees a kafir woman wear some kind of dress and she likes the dress very much. The dress does not comply with Islamic dress code, but she likes it and thinks it would make her look pretty. So she purchases a similar dress and ONLY wears that at home in front of her husband and does not wear it in front of other people. So she is doing something permissible (wearing a dress that does not cover her fully, but of course she does not have to have cover in front of her husband), but she actually imitated a kafir. Does it make her a sinner? Or is she ok as her intention is not to imitate kafirs? Also, what if a Muslim starts doing something with the intention of copying the kafirs, but later realizes his mistake and repents, but he keeps on doing what he started, but this time with the intention that he likes doing it (which is a permissible thing by itself) and NOT to copy the kafirs? For example, a Muslim boy sees kafirs around him having relationships before marriage. He decides to do the same and starts a relationship with another Muslim girl. Later they realize their mistake. But they love each other very much. So they decide to legalize the relationship by marrying. Is it permissible for the boy to marry that girl? The love started by imitating kafirs, but later turned into an actual love which does not include imitating others, just pure love. So does the fact that the relationship started by copying kafirs makes the relationship itself forbidden and the boy has to separate from the girl? Or can they actually fix it and marry and live happily ever after? Thanks. May Allah bless you for your kind efforts.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Intending to imitate unbelievers is not permissible even if it turns out that what one intended to imitate them in is not particular to them. The evidence about this is the Hadeeth on the authority of ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah saying: "Indeed actions are judged by intentions.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

As regards the two examples which you mentioned, they are not the forbidden imitation of unbelievers, as the imitation that is forbidden is in matters that are particular to them as we have already clarified in Fatwa 88123.

On the other hand, wearing clothes or anything else that is not particular to them, which other than them may wear is not considered imitating them. Therefore, it is permissible for a woman to wear such a dress in order to beautify herself for her husband.

Also, it is permissible for a Muslim to marry a girl with whom he had a relationship as this is not an Islamic impediment of marriage; rather, it is confirmed that the Prophet said: "The best solution for those who are in love is marriage.” [Ibn Maajah] However, they are obliged to repent from this relationship. Please refer to Fatwa 86527.

Allaah Knows best.