holding them, congratulating the unbelievers on the occasion, or attending their celebrations. Concerning the verse, “and those who do not witness falsehood” (Qur’an 25:72), the exegetes explained that one of the traits of the servants of the All-Merciful is that they do not attend the festivals of the unbelievers.
8- Another form of allegiance to the unbelievers is praising them, lauding the civilization and progress they have achieved, and marveling at their manners and skills while paying no heed to their false beliefs and corrupt religion. The Exalted says, “Do not let your eyes long for the splendor of the worldly life with which We have provided certain pairs of them; We only test them thereby, but the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.”⦗1⦘
This does not mean that Muslims are to neglect the means of strength—learning lawful industries, economic fundamentals, and military techniques. Indeed, that is required, for Allah says, “Prepare against them whatever force you can.”⦗2⦘
These benefits and cosmic secrets are, in essence, destined for the Muslims. Allah says, “Say, ‘Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah that He has brought forth for His servants, and the wholesome things of provision?’ Say, ‘They are, in this worldly life, for those who believe, and exclusively theirs on the Day of Resurrection.’ Thus We clarify the signs for a people who know.”⦗3⦘ He also says, “He has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, each and every thing from Him,”⦗4⦘ and, “He is the One Who created for you all that is on the earth.”⦗5⦘
Therefore, Muslims are obliged to be at the forefront of exploiting these benefits and energies, not begging the unbelievers for them; they must possess their own factories and technologies.
9- Yet another manifestation of allegiance to the unbelievers is adopting their names—giving their sons and daughters foreign names while abandoning the names of their fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, and the names familiar in their society. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The best of names are ʿAbd-Allah…"