Is loyalty to an infidel considered disbelief (kufr) or wickedness (fisq), and how can one distinguish between the loyal and the disloyal if the act is of the heart?

Alignment with disbelievers has varying degrees, some of which constitute major disbelief that expels one from the fold of Islam, while others are acts of wickedness less severe than major disbelief. This is evidenced by various manifestations, including: imitating them in dress and speech; assisting and supporting them against Muslims; seeking their help and trusting them; appointing them to positions that involve the secrets of Muslims; participating in their holidays or congratulating them on them; adopting their names; and seeking forgiveness and mercy for them.

Among the manifestations of alignment with disbelievers are also: wearing clothes bearing their symbols, such as the cross; showing care for their images; encouraging their sports clubs; displaying their flags; calling for love and friendship with them; and boasting of belonging to them and being captivated by their whims and ideas that contravene Islam.

However, a specific person is not judged to be aligned with disbelievers unless the conditions are met and impediments are absent. It is the deeply rooted scholars who have the right to examine these grave matters and issue rulings concerning them.