Are Christians considered kafir in Islam?
It depends on what you mean by "kafir". In the technical sense, anyone who doesn't accept Islam's message is not a Muslim, and scholars use the word kafir for that. But the Quran gives Christians a special name, People of the Book, and the word is not meant as an insult or a licence to mistreat anyone.
What "kafir" actually means
Kafir comes from an Arabic root meaning "to cover" or "to reject". In Islamic law it simply describes someone who does not believe in Islam, much like "non-Muslim". It is a theological category, not a judgment of a person's character, and it says nothing about how kind, honest or devout they are. Sadly, some people use it as a slur, which Islam does not support. The Prophet ﷺ warned believers against harsh, abusive speech.
Christians as People of the Book
The Quran mostly addresses Christians and Jews as Ahl al-Kitab, the People of the Book, because they received earlier revelations. It invites them to common ground rather than hostility:
Muslims can eat their meat (with conditions) and Muslim men can marry Christian women, which shows a special closeness. See Who are the People of the Book?
Do scholars call Christians kafir?
Classical scholars of all four schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) agree that Christians are not Muslims, since they don't accept Muhammad ﷺ as a prophet and believe in the Trinity. Some verses use the verb form of the word about specific beliefs, such as calling Jesus God. At the same time, many scholars prefer to use "People of the Book" or "non-Muslims" in everyday speech because it's the Quran's own gentler term and avoids hurt.
What it doesn't mean
- It doesn't mean Muslims may be rude, unjust or hostile. Kindness and fairness to peaceful non-Muslims is commanded (Quran 60:8).
- It doesn't mean Christians are impure. See Are non-Muslims najis?
- It doesn't mean you decide anyone's final fate. Only Allah judges each person's heart and what message reached them. See Will my non-Muslim parents go to hell?
- Kafir technically means someone who doesn't accept Islam.
- The Quran usually calls Christians "People of the Book".
- The word is a category, not an insult or a judgment of character.
- Muslims must treat peaceful Christians with kindness and justice.
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