O People of the Book! (Jews & Christians) يا أهل الكتاب

• published: 14 Nov 2010
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People of the Book (Arabic: أهل الكتاب‎ ‎ ′Ahl al-Kitāb) is a term used to designate non-Muslim adherents to faiths which have a revealed scripture called, in Arabic, Ahl-Al-Kitab ("the people of the Book" or "people of the Scripture"). The three types of adherents to faiths that the Qur'an mentions as people of the book are the Jews, Sabians and Christians. The Qur'an, represents the completion of these scriptures, and to synthesize them as God's true, final, and eternal message to humanity. Because the People of the Book recognize the God of Abraham as the one and only god, as do Muslims, and they practice revealed faiths based on divine ordinances, tolerance and autonomy is accorded to them in societies governed by Shariah (Islamic divine law). In Judaism the term "People of the Book" (Hebrew: עם הספר, Am HaSefer) was used to refer specifically to the Jewish people and the Torah, and to the Jewish people and the wider canon of written Jewish law (including the Mishnah and the Talmud). Adherents of other Abrahamic religions, which arose later than Judaism, were not added. As such, the appellation is accepted by Jews as a reference to an identity rooted fundamentally in Torah. In Christianity, denominations such as the Baptists, Methodists, Seventh-day Adventist Church as well as Puritans and Shakers, have embraced the term "People of the Book." The term "People of the Book" in the Qur'an refers to followers of monotheistic Abrahamic religions that are older than Islam. This includes all Christians, all Children of Israel (including Jews, Karaites and Samaritans), and Sabians. This definition is limited to those books that predate the Qur'an; they are seen as divine guidance from God to man that has been corrupted. This definition is not extended to followers of similar texts claiming divine guidance after the revelation of the Qur'an, as the Qur'an is the final revelation and therefore any following are necessarily false. Mankind's Last & Final revelation; al-Qur'aan states: {Say: "O people of the book! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allaah (One God); that we associate NO partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allaah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allaah's Will). Ye People of the Book! Why dispute ye about Abraham, when the Law and the Gospel Were not revealed Till after him? Have ye no understanding? Ah! Ye are those who fell to disputing (Even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge! but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge? It is Allaah Who knows, and ye who know not! Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allaah's (Which is Islaam), and he joined not gods with Allaah. Without doubt, among men, the nearest of kin to Abraham, are those who follow him, as are also this Prophet and those who believe: And Allaah is the Protector of those who have faith. It is the wish of a section of the People of the Book to lead you astray. But they shall lead astray (Not you), but themselves, and they do not perceive! Ye People of the Book! Why reject ye the Signs of Allaah, of which ye are (Yourselves) witnesses? Ye People of the Book! Why do ye clothe Truth with falsehood, and conceal the Truth, while ye have knowledge? A section of the People of the Book say: "Believe in the morning what is revealed to the believers, but reject it at the end of the day; perchance they may (themselves) Turn back; "And believe no one unless he follows your religion." Say: "True guidance is the Guidance of Allaah: (Fear ye) Lest a revelation be sent to someone (else) Like unto that which was sent unto you? or that those (Receiving such revelation) should engage you in argument before your Lord?" Say: "All bounties are in the hand of Allaah: He granteth them to whom He pleaseth: And Allaah careth for all, and He knoweth all things." For His Mercy He specially chooseth whom He pleaseth; for Allaah is the Lord of bounties unbounded. Among the People of the Book are some who, if entrusted with a hoard of gold, will (readily) pay it back; others, who, if entrusted with a single silver coin, will not repay it unless thou constantly stoodest demanding, because, they say, "there is no call on us (to keep faith) with these ignorant (Pagans)." but they tell a lie against Allaah, and (well) they know it. Nay.- Those that keep their plighted faith and act aright, -verily Allaah loves those who act aright. As for those who sell the faith they owe to Allaah and their own plighted word for a small price, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter: Nor will Allaah (Deign to) speak to them or look at them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He cleans them (of sin): They shall have a grievous penalty. (al-Qur'aan; 3.64-77) There can only be One Truth!