NonMuslims

Non-Muslims are people who do not identify as followers of Islam. The term encompasses a broad range of beliefs and identities, including Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, adherents of folk or traditional religions, atheists, agnostics, and others. It is a descriptive category used in demographic, social, and academic contexts rather than a distinct religious tradition.

In classical Islamic jurisprudence, non-Muslims were categorized in ways that reflected religious and political relationships within Muslim-ruled societies. The term Ahl al-Kitab (People of the Book) referred to Christians and Jews and historically carried a set of protections and obligations under certain rulers. Other non-Muslim groups were described with different terms and faced varying legal arrangements, such as dhimmi status in some periods. These concepts and practices varied widely by era and region, and many modern scholars and communities view them as historical rather than universal prescriptions.

Globally, non-Muslims comprise substantial portions of populations across continents and include adherents of many world religions as well as those unaffiliated with any faith. The legal and social status of non-Muslims today varies by country and constitution: many places guarantee freedom of religion and equal rights, while others impose restrictions on worship, proselytizing, or legal recognition. In multicultural and pluralistic societies, non-Muslim communities participate in public life, education, culture, and civic institutions, and interfaith dialogue is a common avenue for fostering mutual understanding.

Overall, the term non-Muslims serves as a broad, contemporary descriptor for those outside Islam, with meanings and implications that differ across historical periods and contemporary legal and cultural contexts.