are the ones intended by His—exalted is He—words:
“except those among them who have committed injustice.” ⦗al-Baqarah: 150⦘

in His statement:
“And do not debate with the People of the Book except in the finest manner—except for those among them who do wrong.” ⦗al-ʿAnkabūt: 46⦘

Such an interpretation is plainly erroneous; consequently it is null and void by the consensus of the Muslims.

For His words—Most High—
“And do not debate with the People of the Book except in the finest manner” ⦗al-ʿAnkabūt: 46⦘
constitute a prohibition against arguing with the People of the Book, both Jews and Christians, except with what is best. His words,
“except those who have committed injustice” ⦗al-Baqarah: 150⦘
refer to the wrongdoers drawn from both communities alike.

Therefore, when a Jew or a Christian engages them in discussion, Muslims are obliged to respond in the most excellent fashion—save for whoever among the two communities acts unjustly. Such a wrongdoer may be punished at times by speech and at times by force, just as Allah and His Messenger have commanded the struggle against the oppressors among them. Thus the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—fought the Jews who were