Infidel

[laian]

Assalamu alaikum shaunee,


I don't think the term infidel comes from the Qur'an or the sunnah. It is an english word. I am happy to give the definition and root of this english word to help you understand:


the word infidel comes from the word "fidelity," which means to be faithful and to fulfill ones obligations.


From fidelity you can get the opposite word, "infidelity." The prefix "in" negates the word that follows it. So "infidelity" means the opposite of "fidelity," or in otherwords it means to be unfaithful and neglect ones obligations. in the English language the term "fidelity" can be applied in any situation, but the term "infidelity" (being unfaithful) is almost always used in the context of marriage, as in being unfaithful to one's spouse, or having illegal sex outside of marriage.


The term "infidel" means someone who is unfaithful, but unlike the term "infidelity," "infidel" is usually used to refer to someone who does not believe in a certain faith, such as Christianity or Islam. So Christians technically could call Muslims infidels, because Muslims do not believe in Christianity.


However, using the term "infidel" is not very common, and it means basically the same thing as unbeliever. The fact that the term infidel was used rather than unbeliever is significant because of the context of the other related words that I have just explained. It becomes more insulting to call someone an infidel than to call them an unbeliever.


I know that explanation was lengthy, so let me recap in case there is any confusion.


FIDELITY = to be faithful and fulfill one's obligations


INFIDELITY = to be unfaithful and neglect one's obligations (almost always refers to being unfaithful to one's spouse, or illegal sex outside of marriage)


INFIDEL = a person who is unfaithful (usually refers to someone who does not believe in a particular faith or religion)


Hope that clears up how the word is used and why it causes such a reaction.