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Fatwa CenterReferring to Nasaaraa as Christians
Question
When addressing Nasaara, is it permissible to call a Nasraani a Christian?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The Quran names Christians Nasaara, which is the Arabic Sharee‘ah-approved name we should use for all that is related to the heavenly religions and Books, because this name is absolutely correct and accurate as it was revealed by Allaah, the Utterly Wise and the All Aware.
The Quran and the Sunnah use the Arabic word Nasaaraa (plural form of Nasraani) to refer to those who claim to be the followers of the Maseeh (Christ) 
. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And the Jews and Nasaaraa have said, "We are the sons of Allaah and His beloved ones."} [Quran 5:18]
With regards to the Sunnah, it was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , said that the Jews were split up into 71 sects and the Nasaara were split up into 71 or 72 sects. [Abu-Dawood, At-Tirmithi, An-Nasaa’i and Ibn Maajah]
In addition to this, the righteous predecessors used the Arabic word "Nasaaraa" and never used the Arabic word "Maseehi" to refer to Christians. Indeed they are the example we should follow.
In conclusion, it is not correct to use the Arabic word Maseehi (Christian) to refer to Nasaara for two reasons:
1- It was not mentioned in the Quran or the Sunnah or in the sayings of the righteous predecessors
2- "Maseehi" (Christian) is a derivative of Maseeh (Christ), and it is incorrect to attribute Christians to the Maseeh (Christ) because they do not follow his true teachings. Therefore, when he returns at the end of time, he will break the cross and kill pigs.
Allaah Knows best.
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