his freedman, whom he had adopted, as well as Ja‘far and others of his household; and he imposed the jizyah (tribute) on the Christians of Najrān.

Likewise, his rightly guided caliphs after him waged jihad against the People of the Book, fought those who fought them, and levied the jizyah upon those among them who paid it by hand, in a state of submission.

This Quran, which everyone knows to be the Book he brought, is filled with calls to the People of the Book to follow him. It declares those among them who do not follow him to be disbelievers, censures and curses them, and warns them of punishment, just as it declares those polytheists who do not follow him to be disbelievers, censures them, and warns them of punishment. As Allah Most High says:

“O you who were given the Scripture, believe in what We have sent down, confirming what is with you”—the verse.

The Quran’s addresses, “O People of the Book” and “O Children of Israel,” are so numerous that counting them would require considerable effort. Allah Most High also says:

“Those who disbelieved among the People of the Book and the polytheists were not to desist”—the verse, through His words, “the best of creation.”

There are very many passages like this in the Quran. Allah Most High has also said:

“Say, ‘O mankind, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth.’”

And Allah Most High says:

“We have sent you only to all mankind.”

It has been widely transmitted from him—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that he said, “I have been favored over the prophets in five respects,” including his statement:

“A prophet used to be sent specifically to his own people, whereas I have been sent to all mankind.”

Indeed, it has been established through mass transmission from him—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that he was sent to both jinn and humankind. Thus, once it is known with indisputable certainty through mass transmission—as widely transmitted as the emergence of his call—that he called the People of the Book to