Difference between revisions of "Infidel" - New World Encyclopedia
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In [[Islam]], the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word ''[[kafir]]'' ('''كافر''') refers to a person who inwardly or outwardly denies [[Allah]] and/or the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]]. Because the term is considered derogatory,<ref name = "Brill">Bjorkman, W. "Kafir." ''[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]''. Brill, Brill Online.</ref> Muslim scholars discourage its usage due to the Quran's command to use kind words.<ref name="Islamonline.net">{{Cite web|url=http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996016352&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE|title=''General Fatwa Session''|accessdate=2007-02-23|publisher=[[Islamonline.net]]|year=2005|author=Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shinqiti|work=Living Shariah > Live Fatwa|format=HTML}} The scholar quotes Al-Baqarah 2: 83.</ref> It is even a punishable offence to use this term against a Jew or a Christian, under Islamic law.<ref name = "Brill"/> | In [[Islam]], the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word ''[[kafir]]'' ('''كافر''') refers to a person who inwardly or outwardly denies [[Allah]] and/or the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]]. Because the term is considered derogatory,<ref name = "Brill">Bjorkman, W. "Kafir." ''[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]''. Brill, Brill Online.</ref> Muslim scholars discourage its usage due to the Quran's command to use kind words.<ref name="Islamonline.net">{{Cite web|url=http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996016352&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE|title=''General Fatwa Session''|accessdate=2007-02-23|publisher=[[Islamonline.net]]|year=2005|author=Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shinqiti|work=Living Shariah > Live Fatwa|format=HTML}} The scholar quotes Al-Baqarah 2: 83.</ref> It is even a punishable offence to use this term against a Jew or a Christian, under Islamic law.<ref name = "Brill"/> | ||
| − | == | + | ==The Crusades== |
| − | + | The [[Crusades]] of Medieval times were an attempt to take back what the Christians considered to be their holy land from the [[Muslims]]. The most important of these lands was [[Jerusalem]]. “Taking the Cross” meant for European noblemen to take arms for the [[Pope]] against the Infidel of [[Arabia]], also known as the [[Saracen]]. To take the cross meant a complete pardon for past [[sins]] and favor gained in the eyes of the church. Although the crusades were for some a religious endeavor, for others it was a political move. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | The Crusades occurred between the years of 1096 and 1291. There were eight crusades in all. The first crusade was called for by [[Pope Urban II]]. Prior to the first crusade, the [[Byzantine Empire]] ([[Orthodox Christians]]) and their Islamic neighbors, the Saracens, had a relatively stable relationship with occasional small skirmishes. While the Saracens were in control of the holy city of Jerusalem, Christians were allowed to make [[pilgrimages]] there. However the coming of a new, more warlike and fearsome group of Muslims, the [[Seljuk Turks]], took over control of Jerusalem and began to persecute the Christians there. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ==Notes== | |
| − | + | <div class="references-small"><references /></div> | |
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 12:49, 29 October 2007
An infidel (literally "one without faith") is an offensive English word meaning "one who doubts or rejects central tenets of a religion or has no religious beliefs," especially in reference to Christianity or Islam.[1][2][3][4] When used in an Islamic sense it serves as a translation of the Arabic word kafir (literally "one who denies the blessings of God") referring to all non-Muslims.[5][6]
Etymology
First used in Middle English circa 1460 (adjective, noun), from the Middle French infidèle, and from Latin infidelis "unfaithful," later "unbelieving," In the 15c. meaning "a non-Christian" (especially a Saracen); later "one who does not believe in religion" (1526). Also used to translate Arabic kafir, from a root meaning "to disbelieve, to deny," strictly referring to all non-Muslims but virtually synonymous with "Christian"; hence, from a Muslim or Jewish point of view, "a Christian".[5]
In Christianity
In Roman Catholic Christianity, the term "infidel" is an ecclesiastical term referring to one who does not believe in the divinity of Jesus or one who has not been baptized. A heretic, in contrast, is an individual who believes in the divinity of Jesus, but also knowingly holds beliefs that contradict Catholic dogma, while a schismatic is an individual who does not hold beliefs contrary to Catholic dogma, but denies the authority of the Catholic Church.[7]
In Islam
In Islam, the Arabic word kafir (كافر) refers to a person who inwardly or outwardly denies Allah and/or the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Because the term is considered derogatory,[8] Muslim scholars discourage its usage due to the Quran's command to use kind words.[9] It is even a punishable offence to use this term against a Jew or a Christian, under Islamic law.[8]
The Crusades
The Crusades of Medieval times were an attempt to take back what the Christians considered to be their holy land from the Muslims. The most important of these lands was Jerusalem. “Taking the Cross” meant for European noblemen to take arms for the Pope against the Infidel of Arabia, also known as the Saracen. To take the cross meant a complete pardon for past sins and favor gained in the eyes of the church. Although the crusades were for some a religious endeavor, for others it was a political move.
The Crusades occurred between the years of 1096 and 1291. There were eight crusades in all. The first crusade was called for by Pope Urban II. Prior to the first crusade, the Byzantine Empire (Orthodox Christians) and their Islamic neighbors, the Saracens, had a relatively stable relationship with occasional small skirmishes. While the Saracens were in control of the holy city of Jerusalem, Christians were allowed to make pilgrimages there. However the coming of a new, more warlike and fearsome group of Muslims, the Seljuk Turks, took over control of Jerusalem and began to persecute the Christians there.
Notes
- ↑ "Infidel," The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
- ↑ "Infidel," Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
- ↑ "infidel." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 23 Jul. 2007.
- ↑ "'Infidel' has been used by Christians and Muslims to name the people outside their religious group, the ones who do not have faith (fides in Latin)." George Weckman, "The Language of the Study of Religion: A Handbook," 2001, Xlibris Corporation ISBN 0738851051 pg. 64-65.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Etymology of "infidel" by the Online Etymology Dictionary
- ↑ Etymology of "kaffir" by the Online Etymology Dictionary
- ↑ 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia [1]
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bjorkman, W. "Kafir." Encyclopaedia of Islam. Brill, Brill Online.
- ↑ Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shinqiti (2005). General Fatwa Session (HTML). Living Shariah > Live Fatwa. Islamonline.net. Retrieved 2007-02-23. The scholar quotes Al-Baqarah 2: 83.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
- Definition of "infidel" by the Merriam-Webster dictionary
- Definition of "unbeliever" by the Merriam-Webster dictionary
- Definition of "kafir" by the Merriam-Webster dictionary
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