Should the followers of Christianity be called "Nasara" or "Masihyeen"?
It is better to call the followers of the Christian religion "Nasara" as stated in the Holy Qur'an, for the term "Masihi" (Christian) is incorrect. This is because if they were truly followers of the Messiah, they would have believed that he is the servant and messenger of Allah, and in Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, just as the Messiah himself foretold to them.
However, given the widespread use of "Masihi" to refer to them without the belief that they are truly followers of the Messiah, there is no harm in using it, though it is preferable to use the name "Nasara".
Shaykh Ibn Baz and Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen were asked about this, and they both affirmed that the Messiah is innocent of them, and that it is better to call them "Nasara" as Allah named them in the Qur'an, and that the Messiah commanded his nation to believe in Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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