Boycott the Quranic Term 'Mulhid' and Use 'Atheist' Instead

Would you like to introduce yourself by saying, "I am the one who has DEVIATED from the right path"?

Surely not.

However, when we call ourselves 'Mulhid', we are essentially introducing ourselves as someone who has deviated from the right path.

The meaning of 'Ilhaad' is to deviate from the right path.

Quran 41:40:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا لَا يَخْفَوْنَ عَلَيْنَآ

Indeed, those who inject deviation into Our verses are not concealed from Us.

Quran 7:180:

وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا ۖ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ أَسْمَٰٓئِهِۦ ۚ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

And for Allah (are) the names - the most beautiful, so invoke Him by them. And leave those who deviate concerning His names

Does the term 'Ilhaad' truly represent our ideology or identity?

• Atheism means not believing in the existence of any god.
• While Ilhaad means deviation from the right path.

Atheism means not believing in the existence of any god, while Ilhaad means deviation from the right path.

The term 'Atheism' is clear enough to convey our identity, but the term 'Ilhaad' has nothing in common with our ideology or identity.

Historically, the term 'Ilhaad' was never linked to atheism. Instead, anyone who deviated from the beliefs ('Aqaid') of orthodox Muslims, even if they were Muslim and believed in Allah, was declared a 'Mulhid' (link).

It is simple logic that we should prefer terminology that best represents our ideology. We should avoid terminology that:

• Insults or abuses us.
• Has no connection to our ideology.
• Was chosen by our opponents to insult and humiliate us.

It is our right, not our opponents', to decide the terminology that represents us the best.

The best alternative terminology for Ilhaad/Mulhid 

The best approach seems to be adopting the terminology of Atheism/Atheist.

Just as Islam is recognized globally as "Islam," it would be more effective if "Atheism" and "Atheist" were globally used across different languages and regions without fragmentation.

Likewise, terms like Deism and Agnosticism should also be used consistently as universal terminologies.

On the other hand, certain Islamic terms pose issues:

• Kafir
• Murtad
• Mulhid

These terms are often used to insult or demean opponents according to Islamic texts and interpretations.

A more respectful and accurate approach would be to use alternative terms:

• Kafir → Non-Muslim
• Murtad → Ex-Muslim
• Mulhid → Atheist