The Difference Between the Words Nasrani and Masih
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q: The use of the word "Masih" (Christian) has become widespread for some time. Is it correct, O Shaykh, to say "Masih" or "Nasrani"? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
A: The meaning of "Masih" is being attributed to al-Masih, the son of Maryam (peace be upon him). They claim to be associated with him, but he is innocent of them. They have lied, for he did not tell them that he is the son of Allah, but rather said: "I am the servant of Allah and His Messenger."
So it is better to call them: Christians, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) named them, for He the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:113]
A: The meaning of "Masih" is being attributed to al-Masih, the son of Maryam (peace be upon him). They claim to be associated with him, but he is innocent of them. They have lied, for he did not tell them that he is the son of Allah, but rather said: "I am the servant of Allah and His Messenger."
So it is better to call them: Christians, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) named them, for He the Exalted said:
The Jews say "The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on," and the Christians say, "The Jews have nothing to stand on," although they [both] recite the Scripture.
وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَارَى عَلَى شَيْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَارَى لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى شَيْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.