rafida
English
Alternative forms
- rafidah
Etymology
From Arabic رَافِضَة (rāfiḍa), plural of رَافِضِيّ (rāfiḍiyy, “rejector”) also passed as Rafidhi.
Noun
rafida (plural rafidas)
- (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.