Dressing Like “nuns”
1. The Hadith on Imitation: The saying of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), “Whoever imitates a people is one of them” (Ahmad and Abu Dawood), is often cited when discussing the issue of adopting the customs or appearance of non-Muslims. The general understanding of this hadith is that Muslims should maintain their distinct identity, especially when it comes to religious practices, beliefs, and symbols that are uniquely tied to other faiths. 2. What Does “Imitation” Mean? Imitation in this context refers to adopting practices, symbols, or clothing that are specifically associated with non-Islamic religions or cultures in a way that represents or endorses their beliefs. The focus is on the intent behind the imitation. If a person adopts something because it is a symbol of another religion or culture, with the intent to align themselves with that, it could fall under the category of forbidden imitation. 3. Covering Like a Nun – What’s the Context? Nuns are known for their modest and pious attire, which, in many ways, aligns with Islamic principles of modesty and covering. The key difference here is intent: If a Muslim woman covers herself with modest clothing for the sake of Allah, fulfilling the Islamic requirements of hijab and modesty, her intention is rooted in Islam, not imitation of another religion. The specific design of clothing (such as long robes, head coverings) in and of itself is not exclusive to Christianity or the nun’s attire. Historically, many traditional cultures, including Muslim cultures, have had similar modest clothing. Therefore, if the intention is modesty and fulfilling the Islamic guidelines of hijab, wearing clothing that happens to resemble a nun’s outfit should not be considered imitation of non-Muslims. 4. Islamic Guidelines of Hijab: Islam outlines specific guidelines for modesty and covering for both men and women. For women, the requirement is to cover the body with loose-fitting, non-transparent clothing. The style or form of the clothing can vary based on cultural preferences, as long as it meets these criteria. 5. Conclusion: The key issue here is intention. If the attire is worn with the intention of modesty and fulfilling the Islamic command of covering, then it would not fall under the category of imitation of non-Muslims. The hadith on imitation applies when a Muslim intentionally adopts practices or symbols that are uniquely tied to other religions or cultures, especially those that may contradict Islamic values. Thus, it would be considered permissible to wear clothing that resembles a nun’s attire if the purpose is to fulfill the Islamic principles of modesty, as the focus should be on the religious intent and adherence to Islamic guidelines.