and in what was revealed to them.” Nor does anyone say that Jews and Christians, after embracing Islam, emigrating, and joining the ranks of the Muslims who emigrated and strove in Allah’s cause, are described as belonging to the People of the Book—that is, as still numbered among them despite having believed in the Messenger. As Allah Most High says concerning someone killed by mistake:

“Hostile to you, while he is a believer, then a believing slave must be freed.”

And His words:

“And if he belongs to a people with whom you have a treaty.”

Thus, he belongs to the enemy people, but he had believed and was unable to emigrate, openly profess his faith, or observe its ordinances. Allah therefore called him a believer because he had fulfilled as much of faith as he could.

Likewise, there was a group of believers in Mecca who concealed their faith and were unable to emigrate. Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, when the angels take the souls of those who have wronged themselves, they ask, ‘What condition were you in?’ They reply, ‘We were oppressed in the land.’ The angels say, ‘Was Allah’s earth not spacious enough for you to emigrate?’ Their refuge will be Hell—what an evil destination!

“Except the helpless among men, women, and children who can devise no means and find no way.

“For these, there is hope that Allah will pardon them. Allah is ever Pardoning, All-Forgiving.”

Thus He, glorified be He, excused those who were helpless and unable to emigrate.

Allah Most High also says:

“And why do you not fight in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, ‘Our Lord, bring us out of this town whose people are oppressors, and appoint for us from Yourself a protector, and appoint for us from Yourself a helper’?”

Those people were unable to practise their religion, so they were relieved of whatever lay beyond their ability. So if