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The People of the Book is a term in Islam for peoples who, according to the Qur'an , have received Divine Scriptures — generally interpreted to refer to the '' Tawrat '' (the Torah ) and '' Injil '' (the Gospel ).

The term "People of the Book" ( Hebrew עם הספר, ''Am HaSefer'') is also used in Judaism , where it refers specifically to the Jewish people and the Torah.


APPLICATION OF TERM

In Islam, the term applies to Monotheistic Abrahamic Religion older than Islam who received Revelation (s) (hence "book") from God . To Orthodox Muslims this includes at least all Christian s, Jew s (including Karaite s and Samaritan s), and "Sabians" (identified with Mandaeans ). Many early scholars such as Malik Ibn Anas agree in also including Zoroastrian s, while some have argued for extending the concept further.


QUR'AN

There are many statements in the Qur'an that promote tolerance towards People of The Book. For example:

  • ''And do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit.''


There are also many statements that promote an adversarial relationship. For example:

  • ''Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold forbidden that which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.''


  • ''O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends/protecters; they are friends/protecters of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend/protecter, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.''


  • ''And ye know of those of you who broke the Sabbath, how We said unto them: Be ye apes, despised and hated!''


  • ''And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.''


In other places the Qur'an says:

  • ''Not all of them are alike; a party of the people of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the Verses of Allâh during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer. They believe in Allâh and the Last Day; they enjoin Al-Ma'rûf and forbid Al-Munkar ; and they hasten in (all) good works; and they are among the righteous. And whatever good they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for Allâh knows well those who are Al-Muttaqûn .(3:113-115)''


  • ''And there are, certainly, among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), those who believe in Allâh and in that which has been revealed to you, and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before Allâh. They do not sell the Verses of Allâh for a little price, for them is a reward with their Lord. Surely, Allâh is Swift in account. ''


  • ''Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allâh and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve .''


  • ''Say (O Muhammad ): "O people of the Scripture : Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh.''


Throughout Islamic history, Muslims have used these Ayah (verses) to justify a variety of positions towards non-Muslims. In some places and times, Muslims showed a great deal of tolerance towards non-Muslims; in other places and times non-Muslims were treated as enemies and persecuted. Sharia (Islamic law) demands that Muslims treat Jews and Christians as Dhimmi s, second-class protected citizens who have a limited number of rights.


SIMILARITIES IN BELIEF

The various faiths of the People of the Book share several qualities:


ISLAMIC LAW

When non-Muslim People of the Book live in an Islamic nation under Sharia law, they become Dhimmis . They are given a number of rights, such as the right to freely practice their faith in private, in return for state protection, and exemption from military service. They also have some responsibilities, such as the payment of a special tax called Jizyah ("poll tax"), but they are exempted from Zakat which Muslims are required to pay. People of the Book living in non-Islamic nations are not considered Dhimmi .


REFERENCES

  • Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has a book entitled "Non-Muslims in Muslim societies" detailing many issues including what a Dhimmi is, Jizyah , rights, responsibilities, and more.

  • Bat Ye'or has written extensively on dhimmitude.



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