Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

one of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As-Salaam-Alaikum:
Why do you refer to the Jews and Christians as "disbelievers" when clearly the Quran does not. Please reference the ayahs you have deduced from--5:51 and 2:62. The Jews and Christians are referred to as, people of the book, more often than not, and will have a reward with their lord if they believe in G-d and the last day. Further, Muhammed the Prophet (saw) allowed the Jews and Christians to practice their religion as long as they accepted the order of peace. As you well know, our Prophet sent a small delegation of Muslims to Abyssinia, a Christian land, for refuge. Surely our Prophet would not entrust Muslims to the care of disbelieving people. Lastly, Muhammed the Prophet said, that in the last days you would see Jesus and Himself together. Your thoughts. Abdul-Raoof Mustafa

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Answer:

Why call jews and Christians disbelivers?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Subhanah Himself in the Holy Quran refers to those among the People of the Book (The Jews and the Christians) who did not believe in Mohamed ar Rasool-Allah (saws), as disbelievers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 98 Surah Bayyinah verses 1-3: The disbelievers from among the People of the Book and the ‘mushriks’ would not desist until the clear evidence should come to them: A Messenger from Allah, who should recite to them Holy Scriptures containing sound and correct writings.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 98 Surah Bayyinah verse 6: Those who have disbelieved from among the People of the Book and the mushriks, they shall certainly enter Hell; and remain in it forever. They are the worst of all creatures!

Thus brother, it is not I who refer to the People of the Book as disbelievers, but it Allah Himself who has called those among them who did deny the Last Messenger of Allah (saws), as disbelievers.

The All Merciful Lord, has from Day One, sent His Prophets and His Message for the guidance of mankind…. From the time of Prophet Adam (a.s.) to the last Ummah of Prophet Mohamed (saws). The Message brought by each and every Prophet of Allah was the same… ‘There is no god but Allah Alone, and He has no partners’. Anyone who accepted this Message and worshipped the One True Lord Alone were muslims.

The Jews believed in each and every one of the Prophets upto Prophet Moses (a.s.). They denied Prophet Jesus (a.s.), and were thus cursed by Allah and became disbelievers. Similarly, the Christians believed every Prophet upto Prophet Jesus (a.s.), but denied the Prophethood and Message of Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws); thus they too became disbelievers in the sight of Allah. Whoever among the People of the Book accepted Mohamed (saws) as the Prophet and believed in the Message revealed to him, became muslims. Whoever denied the Last Messenger of Allah (saws) and the Message revealed to him, became disbelievers.

Now, to answer your specific questions.

Your comment: Why do you refer to the Jews and Christians as "disbelievers" when clearly the Quran does not?

We have already quoted the aayahs of the Quran above, whereby Allah Himself refers to those among the People of the Book who did not acknowledge the Prophethood of Mohamed ar Rasool Allah (saws), as disbelievers.

Your comment: The Jews and Christians are referred to as, people of the book, more often than not, and will have a reward with their lord if they believe in Gdd and the last day.

This statement is indeed true, that whoever among the Jews and the Christians, who accepted the faith of the Prophets of their time, before the advent of Prophet Mohamed (saws), will have their due reward from Allah. But whoever among the Jews denied Prophet Jesus (a.s.) and/or Prophet Mohamed (saws), and whoever among the Christians denied Prophet Mohamed (saws); they will be regarded as disbelievers in the sight of Allah for denying Allah’s Messenger.

Your comment: Further, Muhammed the Prophet (saw) allowed the Jews and Christians to practice their religion as long as they accepted the order of peace.

This is from the principles of Islam, that whoever wants to accept Islam as his religion of his own free will, he is welcome to do so. And whoever wishes to follow any religion other than Islam, will be allowed to do so in an Islamic State. The History of Islam is a living testimony to this principle.

Your comment: As you well know, our Prophet sent a small delegation of Muslims to Abyssinia, a Christian land, for refuge. Surely our Prophet would not entrust Muslims to the care of disbelieving people.

This was done at a time when these poor and helpless people who had believed were being severely persecuted in Makkah. But when the Islamic State was established in Medina, all these people came back to the Abode of Islam. Prophet Mohamed (saws) only advised these oppressed believers to go the Christian land of Abyssinia, because he knew that the King of that Land was just and kind, and because there was no Islamic State established at that time.

Your comment: Lastly, Muhammed the Prophet said, that in the last days you would see Jesus and Himself together.

To the best of our knowledge, we have not come across such a narration of Prophet Mohamed (saws). Prophet Mohamed (saws) is dead, and will only be given life on the Day of Judgement. According to several authentic narrations, Prophet Jesus (a.s.) is alive and will be sent back to earth by Allah as a muslim who will confirm the deen of Islam, and will live on this earth for a number of years as a Muslim leader. Thus, it is not possible for Prophet Mohamed (saws) and Prophet Jesus (a.s.) to be together on this earth physically. But if you meant that they will be together in Paradise in the Hereafter, then Allah Alone has full knowledge of what will happen.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan