Rafida

Rāfiḍah (Arabic: رافضة, /rɑːfid̪ˤa/; pl. rawāfiḍ) is a collective noun which means "turncoats", "defectors", "dissenters", or "deserters". The word is derived from the Arabic verb root ر ف ض, which can mean "to reject". It is an Islamic term which refers in a derogatory way to those who, in the opinion of the person using the term, reject legitimate Islamic authority and leadership.

Usage

It is used by some Sunni Muslims, particularly Hanbali Sunni, as a pejorative term for Shī‘ah Muslims, who were considered "refusers" because they refused to give allegiance to Abu Bakr, or refused to recognize the authority of Sunni caliphs. Currently, the word rāfiḍah and the non-collective singular form rāfiḍī (رافضي) appear to be used as derogatory terms for the Shī‘ah by Sunnis who refuse to accept Shī‘ah Islam as being a valid form of Islam. It would seem to be used primarily by Salafis, but it is possible that it is used by other groups.

See also

• Succession to Muhammad
• Nasibi
• Words to denote religious opponents