Do you then suppose that when He commanded his community to say, “and we are devoted to Him alone” ⦗Qur’an 2:139⦘, the People of the Book were not also enjoined to dedicate their worship sincerely to Allah? He has, in fact, stated their obligation to such sincerity in numerous places, for example:

“Those who had been given the Scripture did not split into factions until after the Clear Proof had come to them.” ⦗98:4⦘ (4)

“Yet they were ordered only to worship Allah, devoting the religion purely to Him, as upright monotheists, to establish prayer and to give the zakah; that is the upright religion.” ⦗98:5⦘.

Likewise, He called them to Islam and threatened them for turning away from it in verses such as:

“Allah bears witness—together with the angels and those endowed with knowledge—that there is no god but Him, upholding justice. There is no god but Him, the Almighty, the All-Wise.” ⦗3:18⦘ (18)

“Indeed, with Allah the religion is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture differed only after knowledge had come to them, out of mutual envy. Whoever rejects the signs of Allah—surely Allah is swift in reckoning.” ⦗3:19⦘ (19)

“If they argue with you, say, ‘I have submitted my whole being to Allah, and so have those who follow me.’ And say to those who were given the Scripture and to the unlettered, ‘Have you submitted?’ If they submit, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the message, and Allah is All-Seeing of His servants.” ⦗3:20⦘,

and His words, exalted is He:

“Who would turn away from the creed of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself? We chose him in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be among the righteous.” ⦗2:130⦘ (130)

“When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit,’ he replied, ‘I have submitted to the Lord of all worlds.’” ⦗2:131⦘ (131)

“Abraham enjoined this upon his sons, and so did Jacob: ‘My sons, Allah has chosen the religion for you, so do not die except as Muslims.’” ⦗2:132⦘ (132)

“Or were you witnesses when death came to Jacob and he said to his sons, ‘What will you worship after me?’ They answered, ‘We will worship your God and the God of your fathers—Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac—one God, and to Him we submit.’” ⦗2:133⦘.