Why does Islam forbid Muslims to imitate disbelievers?

Praise
be to Allah

Imitating others is something that happens to humans. It is
indicative of great love of the one whom one imitates, but in many cases it
is an unhealthy phenomenon. Islam pays a great deal of attention to this
issue (Muslims imitating disbelievers), and the Messenger (blessings and
peace of Allah be upon him) definitively prohibited it and said: “Whoever
imitates a people is one of them.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (4031); classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him)
said:

At the very least this hadith indicates that it is prohibited
to imitate them, even though the apparent meaning indicates that the one who
imitates them is himself a disbeliever, as in the verse in which Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning):

“And if any
amongst you takes them [Jews and Christians] as Auliya [friends, protectors,
helpers, etc.], then surely he is one of them”

[al-Maa’idah 5:51].

This may be referring to imitating them in everything, in
which case this constitutes disbelief, which dictates that it is haraam to
imitate them in some matters. Or it may be interpreted as meaning that he is
one of them to the extent to which he is imitating them, so if it is
disbelief or a sin or a symbol that is unique to them, then the ruling is
like that. Whatever the case, it implies that imitating them is haraam.

End quote from Iqtida’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem
(1/270-271)

We can see the wisdom behind the prohibition on Muslims
imitating disbelievers if we understand the harm to which this imitation may
lead and the bad consequences thereof, which include the following

1.

If a Muslim imitates the disbelievers, it indicates that he
prefers the way the disbeliever looks to the way he himself looks, and this
may be an implicit objection to the law and will of Allah, may He be
exalted.

If a woman imitates a man, it is as if she is objecting to
the appearance with which Allah has created her, and is not pleased with it.
By the same token, when a Muslim imitates a disbeliever, it is as if he is
saying that the appearance of the disbeliever is better for him than the
appearance with which Allah has honoured him and has commanded him to keep.

2.

Imitating someone else is indicative of a sense of
inferiority and psychological defeatism, but Islam does not accept for the
Muslims to declare such defeat, even if it is real.

Admitting and declaring defeat increases the weak person in
weakness, and increases the strong person in strength. This may be one of
the greatest obstacles to the weak person rising up and rectifying his
situation.

Therefore people of mature thinking in any nation or
community object to their people imitating their enemies; rather they are
keen to make them distinct on the basis of their heritage, customs and
dress, even if they think that the enemy has better heritage, customs and
dress than what they have. That is only because they understand the
psychological and social impact – and even the political impact – of
outwardly imitating the enemy.

3.

Imitating others in outward appearance implies love and
loyalty towards them, because a person does not imitate anyone except those
whom he loves. But the Muslims are commanded to disavow the disbelievers of
all types. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Let not the
believers take the disbelievers as Auliya (supporters, helpers, etc.)
instead of the believers, and whoever does that will never be helped by
Allah in any way, except if you indeed fear a danger from them. And Allah
warns you against Himself (His Punishment), and to Allah is the final return”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:28]

“You (O
Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) will not find any
people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those
who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him)), even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their
brothers, or their kindred (people).”

[al-Mujaadilah 58:22].

And the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
said: “The strongest bonds of faith are loyalty for the sake of Allah,
enmity for the sake of Allah, love for the sake of Allah and hate for the
sake of Allah.” Narrated by at-Tabaraani and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani
in as-Silsilah as-Saheehah (998).

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in Iqtida’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem
(1/549):

Outward imitation leads to a type of love and feeling close
in one’s heart, just as love in one’s heart leads to outward imitation. This
is something that we see in real life. End quote.

Imitation of the disbelievers weakens this principle, which
is one of the principles of Islam, namely disavowing and despising the
disbelievers.

4.

Outward imitation of the disbelievers leads to something that
is more serious, which is imitation of them in one’s heart and adopting
their beliefs, or regarding their views and ideology as sound. There is a
clear connection between outward appearance and what is in the heart, and
the one affects the other.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in Iqtida’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem
(1/548):

Imitating others and being like them in outward appearance
and behaviour leads to imitating them and being like them in one’s heart and
mind, by way of gradual, hidden influence. We have seen that the Jews and
Christians who mix with the Muslims are milder in terms of disbelief than
others, just as we have seen that Muslims who mix a great deal with the Jews
and Christians are weaker in terms of faith than others. End quote.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

Because imitation in outward appearance may lead to being
influenced with regard to thought and beliefs, as is indicated by Islamic
teachings, common sense and real life. Therefore Islamic teaching disallows
imitating disbelievers, animals, devils, women and Bedouin.

End quote from al-Faroosiyyah (p. 122).

These are some of the clear reasons for the Islamic
prohibition on Muslims imitating the polytheists. The Muslim has to comply
with the rulings of Allah, may He be exalted, and believe that Allah, may He
be exalted, will never command him to do anything but that which is wise, in
his best interests, and will lead to his happiness in this world and the
hereafter.

And Allah knows best.