Is growing out hair, braiding it, and wearing earrings forbidden for men?

The ruling on men growing their hair long and braiding it, and the ruling on piercing the ear of an adult male and wearing an earring, have been previously explained. It is not permissible to reside in the lands of the disbelievers for one who cannot practice the rituals of his religion and is not safe from temptation. As for imitating disbelievers in their lands, it may be permissible or even recommended to achieve a religious benefit, such as inviting people to Islam or warding off harm from Muslims, unlike in the Abode of Islam where opposition (to disbelievers) is legislated.