of the People of the Book and explained this to them. Groups of their scholars and finest members embraced Islam, then began debating their own co-religionists and explaining the evidence they possessed for the prophethood of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. But this fatwa does not allow for more than this.

This is part of the wisdom in allowing the People of the Book to remain upon payment of the jizyah tax. They possess testimony and evidence for the prophethood of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, as well as testimony supporting what he taught concerning belief in Allah and the Last Day. This demonstrates that Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought the religion with which the messengers before him were sent, and taught concerning Allah’s oneness and attributes what the prophets before him had taught.

Allah Most High says:

“Say, ‘Have you considered: what if it is from Allah and you disbelieve in it, while a witness from the Children of Israel has testified to something similar?’”

And He says:

“Say, ‘Sufficient as a witness between me and you is Allah, and whoever has knowledge of the Scripture.’”

And Allah Most High says:

“So if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, neither doubted nor asked. Rather, this is a ruling contingent upon a condition, and a conditional ruling does not apply when its condition is absent. This leaves scope for anyone who doubts, wishes to present an argument, or seeks greater certainty.