Short answer
Yes, in its original meaning. Christ comes from the Greek Christos, "anointed one", the same meaning as Messiah and the Quran's al-Masih, a title the Quran gives Jesus. A Muslim who says Jesus Christ means Jesus the Messiah, not a divine saviour. Many Muslims prefer "Isa al-Masih" or "Jesus the Messiah" to avoid confusion.
Calling Isa al-Masih (the Messiah) comes from the Quran, and Christ is a translation of it, so using it is permissible when no belief in his divinity is intended. Phrases that carry Christian theology, such as calling him Lord or Son of God, are not allowed.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Three languages, one title: Hebrew Mashiach, Greek Christos and Arabic al-Masih all mean the anointed one. The Quran calls Jesus "the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary" several times. So when Muslims hear "Jesus Christ", the title itself is one their own scripture uses.
The commentators gave several explanations of why he was called al-Masih: that he was anointed with blessing, that he healed the sick by wiping over them with his hand, or that he travelled the land. All agree it is a title of honour. The Prophet ﷺ also used it, saying that Allah will send the Messiah son of Mary, who will descend by the white minaret east of Damascus.
- Fine: "Jesus Christ" or "Christ" meaning the Messiah, "Jesus the Messiah", "Isa al-Masih", and "Jesus, peace be upon him".
- Not fine: "our Lord Jesus Christ", "Christ the Son of God", or "Christ died for our sins" as statements of belief.
- Christian and Christianity: ordinary words for the faith and its followers, fine to use.
Because English speakers often hear "Christ" as a claim of divinity, many Muslim teachers advise saying "Jesus" or "the Messiah" in conversation, which keeps the meaning clear. The Dajjal is called al-Masih al-Dajjal, the false messiah, in contrast to the true Messiah, Jesus. See why Muslims call Jesus Isa and is Jesus God in Islam?
The evidence
Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:45
إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍۢ مِّنْهُ ٱسْمُهُ ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًۭا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْءَاخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ ﴿٤٥﴾
[And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah].
The Quran gives Jesus the title al-Masih, the Messiah.
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:171
يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌۭ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَٰثَةٌ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ ۘ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًۭا ﴿١٧١﴾
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.
The title Messiah is used together with a firm denial of divinity.
Sahih Muslim 2937
Sahih... إذ بعث الله المسيح ابن مريم فينزل عند المنارة البيضاء شرقي دمشق ...
"Allah will send the Messiah son of Mary, and he will descend by the white minaret east of Damascus."
The Prophet ﷺ himself called Jesus the Messiah.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Surah Al Imran, commentary on verse 45. Lists the explanations of why Jesus is called al-Masih.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.