adorning it serves to provoke the enemy. This is why displaying pride in battle is permitted, and why wearing silk in battle is permitted. Everything that provokes the disbelievers earns a person reward. The harm involved in pride and in wearing silk is outweighed by the benefit of provoking the enemies. Allah Most High says:

“And they do not step on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict any injury upon an enemy, but that a righteous deed is recorded for them because of it.” [al-Tawbah 9:120]

And He, Most High, says:

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him are firm against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah and His pleasure. Their mark is upon their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah; and their description in the Gospel is like a seed that puts forth its shoot, then strengthens it, so it grows thick and stands firm upon its stem, delighting the sowers, so that He may enrage the disbelievers through them.” [al-Fath 48:29]

This indicates that provoking the disbelievers is something Allah wills, and that it carries reward.

Thus, provoke the disbelievers for two reasons:

First: in accordance with what Allah wills.

Second: because it is a righteous deed for which there is reward.

But this does not mean that we should not call them to Islam. Rather, we do what provokes them and call them to Islam, thereby combining the two matters and attaining both benefits,