O you who believe! Take not the Jews and Christians as Awliya (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliya to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as Awliya, then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (unjust, polytheist and wrongdoers) [ Al-Ma'idah: 52]

Islam forbids us is to take the non-Muslims as ''Wali'' (or Awliyaa in plural form). A ''Wali'' is not just somebody who we hang around with, have lunch/dinner with, and exchange friendly conversation with. Rather, a ''Wali'' is somebody whom you look up to as an example and role model, and you seek to imitate them in their outlook, their behavior, and way of life. Islam prohibits this because we Muslims should look only towards Islam and those who ascribe to the Islamic way of life (i.e. the Muslims), when it comes to resolving our issues, living and proceeding through life, and building our concepts, values, norms, and ideas. 

''Wali'' in Arabic is different than ''Sadeeq,'' or friend. We are allowed to have non-Muslims as friends. A ''Sadeeq'' is just somebody who we hang around with, have lunch/dinner with, and exchange friendly banter with .In fact, the Muslims should set the example when it comes to friendship, just as we should set the example when it comes to any other aspect of life. Therefore it is not strange to see people exchanging pleasantries for hours, but when it comes to resolving issues they cant agree on anything. This kind of superficial relationships becomes abundant in a society which lacks a common frame of thinking and outlook. 

If ''looking up'' to somebody means simply admiring a particular individual for certain characteristics, then this is acceptable, as long as those characteristics do not conflict with Islam. For example, it would be haram to look up to a non-Muslim who insults women and degrades them because such behavior directly conflicts with the honor of the woman that Islam protects and enforces. And by admiring this behavior, we are showing our admiration to jahiliya. 

On the other hand, if ''looking up'' to somebody means seeking them for answers to our problems in the life affairs (not in technical, scientific, or administrative matters), or aspiring to imitate their outlook, culture, or way of life, then this is what is condemned in Islam. The reason for this should be obvious to any Muslim. Aspiring to imitate the Kuffar in their outlook, culture, and way of life is the first step towards adopting their Kufr outlook and way of life, and it begs the question: How much confidence do we have in our own culture, way of life, and outlook? If we truly understood Islam the correct way, then we should have the mentality that we are the role models of the world and humanity should aspire to imitate us in our outlook, culture, and way of life. And we Muslims should be the ones who are presenting the world with the correct solution to the problems and issues of life.

We have a unique definition of good and bad in the Islamic culture. In other cultures, good and bad are relative and depend upon the person, society, and time/place. However, in Islam, the definition of good and bad is fixed. What Allah (swt) has commanded us or allowed for us is good, and what Allah (swt) has forbidden is bad. Because Islam is a complete way of life that covers every aspect, it is sufficient for us to follow Islam in its totality, and the Muslims will end up doing more good than anybody could have ever imagined.

It is important to note that, when looking up to a scholar for legislative (sharia) issues, we do not follow his opinion blindly, and we are not following the scholar. Rather, we are following his opinion on the basis that we are convinced his opinion is the most correct opinion, based on the strength of the evidence from the Islamic sources of legislation. This is what it means when we say that Islam is our reference; regardless of who said what, everything that is said, and every opinion that is issued must have its evidence from the Islamic text to substantiate it. The problem is when we start following human beings WITHOUT referring what they say to the Islamic text or questioning what they say based on the Islamic sources. As a result, we have shifted away from referring to Islam as our reference, and instead we have begun to revolve around a certain shaykh or individual. 

As for imitating the Kuffar, Islam forbids us to have the intention of imitating the Kuffar under any circumstances, even in actions that would be allowed for us. For example, the suit is allowed because all clothing is allowed unless there is a specific text prohibiting it, and the suit does not carry a religious connotation, like the priest's robe. However, if the individual is wearing the suit with the intention of imitating the Kuffar or out of admiration for the Kufr culture, then this is haram for that specific individual only.

If imitating the Kuffar means adopting certain aspects of their civilization that are not tied to their culture or way of life for the sake of improving ourselves (such as technical skills, technology, and administrative skills), then this is not only allowed but encouraged, and in some cases, such as adopting their technology, it may even be obligatory. For example, the Kuffar in America are very advanced when it comes to marketing and communicating effectively. And we think that such skills (without the cheating, lying, and deception) are very much needed among Muslims to present Islam as an alternative ideology.

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