rafida

English

Alternative forms

• rafidah

Etymology

From Arabic رَافِضَة (rāfiḍa), plural of رَافِضِيّ (rāfiḍiyy, “rejector”) also passed as Rafidhi.

Noun

rafida (plural rafidas)

1. (religious slur, offensive, Islam) Shiite

Usage notes

Used by anti-Shiite Muslims to disparage Shiites. Used especially towards Shiites who disregard the leadership of Abu Bakr and Umar. There have been efforts by some Shiites to reclaim the word, so it can be used self-referentially.