—such as prayer facing east and the declaration of forbidden things—pork, carrion, and the like—as lawful, matters that have been treated at length elsewhere.

They may therefore be asked: What evidence do you possess from Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—showing that none of the wording of the scriptures in your hands has undergone any alteration? It is well known that when Muslims and others dispute, the assertion of one faction is not binding proof against the other. Consequently, if Muslims themselves have differed over whether some of the wording of the earlier scriptures has been changed, the view of one group is no proof against the rest; nor is it permissible for any Muslim—or for you—to attribute a statement to the Messenger without clear evidence.

Where, then, in the Qur’an or in the authentic Sunnah of Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—is it stated that everything now held by the People of the Book—the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, and the prophetic writings—has remained wholly unaltered in its wording, so that you can claim Muhammad affirmed this about your books?

These people have built their case on the assumption that the wording of their scriptures proves the soundness of the religion they follow after the mission of Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—and after their denial of him, and that none of its wording has been altered.