The Ruling on the Word 'Masihiyyah' (Christianity)
Question:
The word ‘Christianity’ (Masihiyyah) is frequently used by some Muslims to the point that they do not distinguish between the terms ‘Nasrani’ (Nazarene) and ‘Masihi’ (Christian). Even in the media today, they refer to the ‘Nasara’ (Nazarenes) as ‘Christians’ (Masihiyyin); instead of saying ‘This is a Nasrani,’ they say ‘This is a Masihi.’ We request a clarification regarding this word ‘Christianity’ (Masihiyyah), and is it correct to apply this term to the path followed by the ‘Nasara’ today?
Answer:
Our view is that we should call the Nasara (Nazarenes) by the name ‘Nasara,’ just as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) named them, and as is well-known in the books of the scholars of the past; they used to refer to them as ‘The Jews and the Nasara.’
However, when the Nazarenes nation grew powerful due to the weakness of the Muslims, they named themselves ‘Masihiyyin’ (Christians) to bestow a sense of religious legitimacy upon their faith, even if only in name. Otherwise, I am certain that the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), is innocent of them.
On the Day of Resurrection, when Allah asks him: '”…O ‘Îsâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allâh?’”‘ (Al-Ma’idah: 116).
He (Jesus) will say: ‘Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden (and unseen). Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allâh) did command me to say: ‘Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord.’ (Al-Ma’idah: 116-117) until the end of the verse.
He [Jesus] will say this regarding Tawhid (the Oneness of God). And if he is asked about the Message, he will say: ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allâh unto you, confirming the Taurât [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.’ (As-Saf: 6). Thus, he affirmed the messages before him and the message after him—peace and blessings be upon him. He commanded his nation with the essence of the testimony that ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’
However, his nation disbelieved in his glad tidings and disbelieved in the Monotheism (Tawhid) that he brought. They said:
- ‘Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity).’ (Al-Ma’idah: 73)
- ‘The Messiah is the son of Allâh.’ (At-Tawbah: 30)
- ‘Allâh is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary)’ (Al-Ma’idah: 17)
We ask Allah for safety (well-being).
The Conclusion: The gist of the matter is that I say: The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, is innocent of them and of the religion they practice today. Jesus son of Mary, by virtue of his message from Allah, obliges them to believe in Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in order to be true servants of Allah. Allah, the Exalted, said: ‘Say (O Muhammad): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.”‘ (Aal ‘Imran: 64)