As for those who oppose them, Allah says of those who claim affiliation with them while practicing religious innovation:

“Indeed, many rabbis and monks devour people’s wealth unjustly and turn people away from the path of Allah.”

These people took their wealth and barred them from Allah’s path—the opposite of what the Messenger did. What, then, of those who are worse than these, such as pagan scholars, sorcerers, and soothsayers? They devour people’s wealth unjustly and turn people away from Allah’s path even more than the rabbis and monks do. Yet Allah, Glorified is He, says:

“Indeed, many rabbis and monks…”

Thus, not all of them are like this. Rather, He says elsewhere:

“And you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers to be those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant.”

He also says in describing the Messenger:

“Nor does he withhold knowledge of the unseen.”

There are two readings here. According to the reading bi-zanīn (“suspected”), the meaning is that he is not suspected of falsehood concerning the unseen; rather, he is truthful and trustworthy in what he reports. According to the reading bi-danīn (“withholding”), the meaning is that he is not miserly, imparting it only in return for payment, like those who demand payment for what they know. Thus, Allah describes him as speaking the truth, neither lying nor concealing it. He has described the People of the Book, by contrast, as making it into sheets which they display while concealing much, and as exchanging it for a paltry price.