And the Exalted One also says:

“When a Book from Allah came to them, confirming what they already possessed—and before that they had been imploring help against the disbelievers—yet when there came to them what they recognized, they rejected it. So the curse of Allah rests upon the disbelievers.” (al-Baqarah 2:89)

Reports showing that the People of the Book knew the description of Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—in their earlier scriptures have reached the level of mass, recurrent transmission.

Before the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—was commissioned, wars and fighting would break out between the Arabs and the People of the Book. On such occasions the latter would say, “The time is near for the advent of this unlettered Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—who will be sent with the religion of Abraham. When he appears, we shall follow him and, with his aid, slay you with the worst of slaughters.” But when the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—was actually sent, some of them believed in him while others disbelieved. Concerning them the Most High said:

“They had earlier been imploring victory” (al-Baqarah 2:89),

that is, they were seeking help through Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—against the disbelievers,

“but when there came to them what they recognized, they rejected it; so the curse of Allah rests upon the disbelievers.” (al-Baqarah 2:89)

For this reason, when he addressed the People of the Book, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—would say to them, “By Allah, besides whom there is no deity, you certainly know that I…"