To avoid this, when the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) set out to establish a calendar for the Muslims during the caliphate of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), they deliberately left the calendars of the unbelievers and began dating events from the Hijrah of the Messenger ﷺ. This shows that Muslims are obliged to differ from the unbelievers in this and in every other practice that is uniquely theirs. Allah’s help is sought.

7 – Participating in their festivals, helping them organize those festivals, congratulating them on the occasion, or attending the celebration itself.

The Exalted said: “and those who do not bear witness to falsehood” (Qur’an 25:72). This has been interpreted to mean that among the qualities of the servants of the Most Merciful is that they do not attend the festivals of the unbelievers.

8 – Praising them, extolling their modernity and civilization, or admiring their morals and skills.