People of the Book
Encyclopedia : P : PE : PEO : People of the Book
| Arabic |
|---|
| أهل الكتاب |
| Transliteration |
| ahl al-Kitâb |
| Translation |
| "people of the book" |
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.
Contents
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 Christians, Jews (including Karaites and Samaritans), and "Sabians" (identified with Mandaeans). Many early scholars such as Malik Ibn Anas agree in also including Zoroastrians, 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. []
- 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 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. [Citing sources citation needed]]
- 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 . [ [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 dhimmis, 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:- They practice Tawheed (monotheism).
- They share some of the same prophets, such as Moses and Jesus.
- They recognize life after death, judgement, heaven, and angels, and have many similar eschatological beliefs that according to some scholars are due to the influences of Zoroastrianism.
- They share similar beliefs regarding the Creation, specifically, in the lives of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
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.
External links
- ["People of the Book" and Muslims]. A positive view of attitudes concerning People of the Book
- [Does Islam Forbid Befriending Non-Muslims?] Brief exegesis of a controversial verse from Quran (5:51)
- [Domains of Muslim-Christian Cooperation]
- [Muslim and Non-Muslim Relations Reflections on Some Qur’anic Texts]
- [Islamic Dealing with People of the Book]
- [Inviting People of the Book]
- [Scope of Amicable Dealings with Non-Muslims]
- [Does the Term “Ahlul-Kitab” Still Apply Today?]
- [Should the Magians Be Treated as Ahl al-Kitab?]
- [The Books of the People of the Book: Judaic Collection of Library of Congress]
- [Islam and the People of the Book]. A negative view of attitudes concerning People of the Book
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