So if what they mean by saying that he “endorsed” them in these matters—or that Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, confirmed whatever they possess of teachings that no prophet had ever conveyed from Allah—is that he actually approved such things, then they are guilty of a blatant lie against Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, a lie whose falsehood is self-evident to anyone who knows his religion. He affirmed only what the prophets before him had brought.

As for the novelties and innovations they later introduced, he did not endorse any of them. Nor did he legislate for them to remain upon their former law, even had it never been altered. Instead, he summoned them—and all human beings and jinn alike—to believe in him, in what he had brought, and to follow the revelation of the Book and the Wisdom with which he was sent. He declared anyone who refuses to follow the Book revealed to him to be a disbeliever, and, in addition to their everlasting punishment in the Hereafter, he made it obligatory to wage jihad against them in this world until the religion belongs wholly to Allah and the word of Allah is supreme.

He called the People of the Book—Jews and Christians—collectively, and then addressed each of the two groups separately in several passages, while at the same time inviting all people, both the People of the Book and others, as in His—exalted is He—saying: