Is it correct to call a Christian a "Christian"?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. It is on the tongues of some Muslims, to the extent that they do not distinguish between the word "Nasrani" (Christian)!
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : They do not distinguish between the word "Nasrani" and "Christian," even in the media today they say "Christians." Instead of saying "this is a Nasrani," they say "Christian." So we ask for clarification regarding the term "Christianity," and whether it is correct for the Christians as they are today?
The Shaykh : What we see is that we should call the Christians "Nasrani" (Christians), as Allah Mighty and Majestic named them, and as is known in the books of the previous scholars: the Jews and the Christians. But when the Christian nation became strong due to the negligence of the Muslims, they called themselves "Christians" to add a legal color to their religion, even if only in terms of the word. Otherwise, I am certain that the Messiah, 'Isa ibn Maryam, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), is innocent of them. And he will say on the Day of Resurrection, when Allah asks him:[Al-Ma'idah 5:116]?
He will say:[Al-Ma'idah 5:116-117] to the end of the verse. He will say this regarding the oneness of Allah. And if he is asked about the message, he will say: "My Lord, I said to them: [As-Saf 61:6]." So it is a confirmation of the messages before him, and of the message after him (peace and blessings be upon him). So he commanded his nation with the substance of the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. But his nation disbelieved in his glad tidings, and disbelieved in what he brought of the oneness of Allah. They said: "Indeed, Allah is the third of three." And they said: "The Messiah, son of Maryam, is the son of Allah Mighty and Majestic." And they said: "Indeed, Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam" – we ask Allah for safety.
So the result is that I say: The Messiah, 'Isa ibn Maryam, is innocent of them, and of the religion they are upon today. And 'Isa ibn Maryam obliges them, by virtue of his message from Allah, to believe in Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) so that they may be servants of Allah. Allah the Exalted said:[Ali 'Imran 3:64]. Yes?
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : They do not distinguish between the word "Nasrani" and "Christian," even in the media today they say "Christians." Instead of saying "this is a Nasrani," they say "Christian." So we ask for clarification regarding the term "Christianity," and whether it is correct for the Christians as they are today?
The Shaykh : What we see is that we should call the Christians "Nasrani" (Christians), as Allah Mighty and Majestic named them, and as is known in the books of the previous scholars: the Jews and the Christians. But when the Christian nation became strong due to the negligence of the Muslims, they called themselves "Christians" to add a legal color to their religion, even if only in terms of the word. Otherwise, I am certain that the Messiah, 'Isa ibn Maryam, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), is innocent of them. And he will say on the Day of Resurrection, when Allah asks him:
did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?'
أَأَنْتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إِلَهَيْنِ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِHe will say:
Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. (117) I said not to them except what You commanded me - to worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.
سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِحَقٍّ إِنْ كُنْتُ قُلْتُهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِي وَلا أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ * مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَا أَمَرْتَنِي بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْO children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.
يَا بَنِي إِسْرائيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ مُصَدِّقاً لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّراً بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُSo the result is that I say: The Messiah, 'Isa ibn Maryam, is innocent of them, and of the religion they are upon today. And 'Isa ibn Maryam obliges them, by virtue of his message from Allah, to believe in Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) so that they may be servants of Allah. Allah the Exalted said: