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A Discussion on the Belief/Disbelief of the Jews and Christians

Shaykh Mūsá Richardson

A much needed discussion on the reality of the Jews and the Christians, a heated debate today on social media platforms. Our beloved brother, Abū al-ʿAbbās presents a passage from the Book of Allāh clarifying the belief and disbelief of the People of the Book.

Allāh the Most High said in the Qurʾān:

 فإن تنازعتم في شيء فردوه إلى الله والرسول إن كنتم تؤمنون بالله واليوم الآخر

“(And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allāh and His Messenger (ﷺ), if you believe in Allāh and the Last Day.”

In this day and age of ‘social acceptability,’ many Muslim student associations try to make Islām more plausible to non-Muslims through a strange and erroneous technique. They wish to bring the Muslims, Jews, and Christians under the umbrella of the ‘Abrahamic faiths,’ A ‘balanced,’ ‘respectful’, ‘moderate’ approach. Under this premise, they hold that the latter two groups (Jews and Christians) are believers. On the other hand, other Muslims declare the Jews and the Christians to be disbelievers. What is the correct methodology in dealing with methods of differing like this? How do we call the Christians and Jews to Islām correctly? Are we truly helping them by putting them under one umbrella (incorrectly)? As mentioned in the verse above, let us return to the Book of Allāh for a solution to this differing. In this lecture, Abū al-‘Abbaas provides some commentary on some verses from Sūrah al-Maʾidah (verse 72 onwards) explaining the belief of some of the People of the Book and likewise, the disbelief of others.

In this discussion, the speaker addresses the following questions:

What does the Book of Allāh mention about those who say Allāh is the Messiah, Son of Maryam?
What about those who say Allāh is the Third of Three (the Trinity)?
Are the verses in this regard abrogated?
Who are the believers of the People of the Book?
What are some examples from the Companions of believers of the People of the Book?

Take a listen to this lecture, may Allāh have mercy upon you, so you can learn about your religion and be aware of baseless doubts.

Published: October 24, 2013
Edited: December 25, 2022