The term ‘People of the Book’, i.e. Ahlul Kitab is a phrase in the Qur’an interpreted by people of various callings. It could be found in Qur’an 5:68, 3:65, 3:72, 4:153, 4:71 e.t.c . In view of the availability of the Qur’an in many translations, many of its verses are misinterpreted. For instance, the following verses are typical examples:
“Say: O people of the Book! you have no ground to stand unless you stand fast by the law (Taurat) and the Gospel (Injeel), and all the revelations that has come to you from your Lord.”
(Qur’an 5:68).
“O ye people of the Book! Why do you dispute about Abraham, when the law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye no understanding?”
(Q3: 65)
“O ye people of the Book! Why do you clothe truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth, while ye have knowledge?”
(Q3: 71).
According to some Christians, the term people of the Book refers not just to the Jews and Christians but to the Muslims as well. Such Christians even quote Qur’an 5:68 as implying that Muslims should believe in the Bible.
However, it should be clear that the phrase is never used in the Qur’an to refer to the Muslims. The use of the term and its context makes this clear. The term refers to the Jews and Christians, as earlier believers in a revealed religion. Muslims are referred to in the Qur’an as Muslims or ‘those who believe’ but never as Ahlul Kitab.
We should note that the term, while often used for both the Jews and the Christians (as in Q3: 65) is sometimes used specifically for Jews as in Qur’an 3:72 Qur’an 3:64 and 4:17.
The people of the Book were invited to believe in Prophet Muhammad S.A.W and the Qur’an as in Qur’an 3:10, 5:65. They were told that the Qur’an is an embodiment (tasdiq) of the promises made in their scriptures with regard to the coming of Muhammad S.A.W.
Some Christians quote Qur’an 3:62 and Qur’an 5:69 where Allah says:
“Those who believe in the Qur’an and those who follow the Jewish scripture, and the Christians and the sabians, and any who believe in God and the last day, and work righteousness shall have their reward with their Lord; and on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Qur’an 2:62)”.
The above passage occurs in the Qur’an several times and only shows a breath of vision unparalleled in any other faith. There is difference in the situation of the people of the Book according to whether or not message of Islam has reached them. Because of the distortion of the earlier scriptures, the beliefs of the people of the book have also become distorted from the pure teachings of their prophets. In the Qur’an, ALLAH S.W.T's message has been completed and preserved for people of all times and places.
Consequently, Muslims are told to call all people to the way of Islam (Qur’an 16:125) and it is expected that many pious people of the book will recognize the truth of Islam and embrace it. Indeed, many Jews and Christians, past and present, have accepted Islam and are still accepting and practising Islam.
“Say: O people of the Book! you have no ground to stand unless you stand fast by the law (Taurat) and the Gospel (Injeel), and all the revelations that has come to you from your Lord.”
(Qur’an 5:68).
“O ye people of the Book! Why do you dispute about Abraham, when the law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye no understanding?”
(Q3: 65)
“O ye people of the Book! Why do you clothe truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth, while ye have knowledge?”
(Q3: 71).
According to some Christians, the term people of the Book refers not just to the Jews and Christians but to the Muslims as well. Such Christians even quote Qur’an 5:68 as implying that Muslims should believe in the Bible.
However, it should be clear that the phrase is never used in the Qur’an to refer to the Muslims. The use of the term and its context makes this clear. The term refers to the Jews and Christians, as earlier believers in a revealed religion. Muslims are referred to in the Qur’an as Muslims or ‘those who believe’ but never as Ahlul Kitab.
We should note that the term, while often used for both the Jews and the Christians (as in Q3: 65) is sometimes used specifically for Jews as in Qur’an 3:72 Qur’an 3:64 and 4:17.
The people of the Book were invited to believe in Prophet Muhammad S.A.W and the Qur’an as in Qur’an 3:10, 5:65. They were told that the Qur’an is an embodiment (tasdiq) of the promises made in their scriptures with regard to the coming of Muhammad S.A.W.
Some Christians quote Qur’an 3:62 and Qur’an 5:69 where Allah says:
“Those who believe in the Qur’an and those who follow the Jewish scripture, and the Christians and the sabians, and any who believe in God and the last day, and work righteousness shall have their reward with their Lord; and on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Qur’an 2:62)”.
The above passage occurs in the Qur’an several times and only shows a breath of vision unparalleled in any other faith. There is difference in the situation of the people of the Book according to whether or not message of Islam has reached them. Because of the distortion of the earlier scriptures, the beliefs of the people of the book have also become distorted from the pure teachings of their prophets. In the Qur’an, ALLAH S.W.T's message has been completed and preserved for people of all times and places.
Consequently, Muslims are told to call all people to the way of Islam (Qur’an 16:125) and it is expected that many pious people of the book will recognize the truth of Islam and embrace it. Indeed, many Jews and Christians, past and present, have accepted Islam and are still accepting and practising Islam.