Adopting the symbols (shi‘ar) of the people of kufr

Question

Zayd, a Muslim, and ‘Amr, a Hindu, opened a joint shop. The date for starting this shop was fixed by asking Hindu priest-soothsayers; accordingly, on the appointed date the shop was opened according to the custom of the Hindus: Hindu priests and Brahmins were invited, and in the account book, instead of “Bismillah”, the word “Om” (which Hindus write in their correspondence)

Answer

Adopting the national symbols of a non-Muslim people is a major sin, and adopting their religious symbols without a necessity recognised by the Shari‘a is kufr. Therefore, as a precaution, Zayd should renew his iman and renew his nikah, and it is also necessary for him to repent firmly from such acts for the future; and all the Muslims who took part in this gathering must…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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