The Humble I

Knowing, Doing, Becoming

following the ways of the disbelievers

December 23, 2014

Copycats: Imitating Non-Muslims & their Festivals

Q. Is the imitation of non-Muslims categorically prohibited in Islam? If so, wouldn’t that make the wearing of suites, trousers, shirts and ties impermissible? And given the current political climate, can or should Muslims partake in their religious festivities and celebrations? A. The basis for such a viewpoint is taken from the Prophet’s statement ﷺ: ‘Whoever imitates a… Continue reading

fiqh & usul al-fiqh

following the ways of the disbelievers, guidelines for tashabbuh, Ibn taymiyyah on imitation, imitating non-Muslims, Islamic ruling on celebrating Christmas, Islamic ruling on joining in with non-Muslim celebrations, Muslim man’s dress code, Muslims & Western fashion, wearing non-Muslim attire

About Me

My name is Surkheel Sharif (aka Abu Aaliyah). Born and raised in London, England, I began my more formal, but gradual studies of the Islamic sciences around the late 1980s (just a few years after having quit my degree in Astrophysics). I also gained an MA in Islamic Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London, in 2009.

I’ve translated a few Islamic works from Arabic into English; one of them, a short text on Muslim spirituality, called The Exquisite Pearl (2000). I have also authored a few books, including: More Fish Please & the Earth’s Complaint (2011); Fussing Over the 15th of Sha’ban & the Golden Rule of Differing (2011); A Muslim’s Guide to Modernity (2025); and Salafism Reconsidered (forthcoming)

I am the founder and current Director of the Jawziyyah Institute (est. 1999): a non-profit organisation dedicated to cultivating an Islam true to its time-honoured tradition, relevant to its current context, and of benefit to wider society.

following the ways of the disbelievers

Copycats: Imitating Non-Muslims & their Festivals