# Mulhid

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Islamic religious term meaning apostate, heretic, or atheist

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**Mulhid** (ملحد plural ملحدون **mulḥidun** and ملاحدۃ **malāḥidah**)[1] is an Islamic religious term meaning [apostate](/source/Apostate), [atheist](/source/Atheist), [infidel](/source/Infidel) or [heretic](/source/Heretic).[2][3] In pre-Islamic times the term was used in the literal sense of the root *l-ḥ-d*: "incline, deviate".[2] Its religious meaning is based on the [Quranic verses](/source/Quranic_verse) 7:180, 22:25, and 41:40.[2][4] Under the [Umayyad Caliphate](/source/Umayyad_Caliphate) it denoted desertion of the [ummah](/source/Ummah) and rebellion against legitimate caliphs.[2][4] Early in the [Abbasid](/source/Abbasid_caliphate) era [rationalistic theologians](/source/Kalam) began using it in the sense of "heretic", and it eventually came to refer to rejection of religion as such, to materialistic scepticism and atheism.[2] In [Ottoman](/source/Ottoman_Empire) usage the term was commonly used in reference to [Shia](/source/Shia) and certain [Sufi](/source/Sufi) doctrines that were considered to be subversive.[2]

## See also

- [Irreligion](/source/Irreligion)

- [Zindiq](/source/Zindiq)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Hans Wehr, J. Milton Cowan (1976). *A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic* (3rd ed.). Spoken Language Services. p. 859.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EI2_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EI2_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-EI2_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-EI2_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-EI2_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-EI2_2-5) W. Madelung (1993). "Mulḥid". In P. Bearman; Th. Bianquis; C.E. Bosworth; E. van Donzel; W.P. Heinrichs (eds.). *Encyclopaedia of Islam*. Vol. 7 (Second ed.). Brill. p. 546.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Yates, William (1855). [*Introduction to the Hindustani Language: In Three Parts, Viz. Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading Lessons*](https://books.google.com/books?id=qYteAAAAcAAJ&dq=mulhid+infidel&pg=PA246). Baptist Mission Press.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-penguin_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-penguin_4-1) Azim Nanji (2008). [*The Penguin Dictionary of Islam*](https://archive.org/details/penguindictionar0000nanj). Penguin UK. p. [230](https://archive.org/details/penguindictionar0000nanj/page/230). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780141013992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780141013992).

v t e Religious slurs Believers Buddhists Butprast Heathen Theravādins Hīnayāna Christians Giaour Jesus freak Nicodemite Catholics Creeping Jesus Dogan Fenian Great and abominable church Mackerel snapper Papist Romanist Taig Whore of Babylon Protestants Fundie Holy Roller Quakers (Society of Friends) Restiorationals Mormons (Latter-Day Saint) Shakers (United Society of Believers) Hindus Malaun Jews Kike Zhyd Żydokomuna Yid Cryptos Marrano Muslims Ahmadis Mirzai Qadiani Isma'ilis Batiniyya Sufis Grave worshipper Shias Rafida Sunnis Bakriyyah Salafis Takfiri Wahabi Zoroastrians Gabr Majoos/Majus Non-believers Non-Buddhists Tīrthika/Titthiya Non-Mahāyānists Icchantika Non-Christians Pagan Infidel Non-Muslims Kafir Giaour Zindīq Dhimmi Jahiliyyah Non-Jewish Shegetz Shiksa Non-Orthodox Self-hating Jew

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