Should I try to imitate the Messenger of Allah in his hairstyle, clothing, and eating habits?

Short Answer

There are many reports about how the messenger kept his hair, the types of clothing he wore, and his eating habits. It is not required or even recommended for a Muslim to imitate the Prophet in his personal choices of fashion and culture. His own Companions, who loved him more than anyone, did not attempt to copy him in everything he did. It is only recommended to do something when the Messenger of Allah specifically encouraged Muslims to do that, such as starting your meal by saying “in the name of Allah”. Those encouraged actions are termed sunnah and are worthy of emulation, not his personal choices and normal habits.

What the Qur’an and Sunnah Say

Anas ibn Malik said that the hair of the Messenger of Allah came down to his ears.” (Muslim #2338) Despite this, we do not see his closest Companions such as Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, and others trying to imitate him in his hairstyle.

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Shaykh Mustafa Umar