For if rain were to fall on the day they prayed for rain, this would result in grave harm.

If someone were to ask: “Is this something possible, or merely a hypothetical matter—that rain might fall on a day when the People of the Covenant or the people of religious innovation pray for rain?”

The answer is that it is something that may indeed occur.

If someone were to ask: “How could it occur when it entails tribulation and lends support to this false school of thought or this false religion?”

The answer is that this is among the trials by which Allah tests His servants—we ask Allah to protect us and you from trials. Allah may test His servants with something that becomes a cause of their going astray without their realizing it. Thus, if the People of the Covenant ask to go out with us, without being separate in either place or time, we do not allow them to do so, because Allah Most High says:

“Beware of a trial which will not afflict only the wrongdoers among you, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” [al-Anfal]

If it is asked: “How can we permit the People of the Covenant to go out to pray for rain, when the Jews were present during the time of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, yet they did not go out to pray for rain?”

The answer is that apparently they did not ask to go out to pray for rain.

Question: Does the term People of the Covenant apply to every unbeliever with whom we have made a covenant of protection, or is it restricted to a particular class of unbelievers?

The answer: According to the established school of law, it is restricted to a particular class of unbelievers: three groups—the Jews, the Christians, and the Magians.

The correct view is that it applies generally to every unbeliever who refuses Islam and agrees to pay