These authorities did not mention those who believed in the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in Medina, such as Abd Allāh ibn Salām and others who had been Jews, or Salmān al-Fārisī and others who had been Christians, because these had become believers. It would therefore not be said of them:

“Indeed, among the People of the Book are those who believe in Allah, in what has been revealed to you, and in what was revealed to them.”

[Surah Āl Imrān: 199]

No one would say of Jews and Christians, after their conversion to Islam, their migration, and their entry into the ranks of the Muslims who emigrated and fought, that they were People of the Book. Nor would it be said of the Companions who had once been polytheists: “Indeed, among the polytheists are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger,” for after they attained faith, they were no longer called polytheists. This indicates that these were a group belonging to the People of the Book—that is, they were numbered among them—and had believed in the Messenger.

As Allah Most High says concerning someone killed by mistake:

“If he belonged to a people hostile to you but was a believer, then a believing slave must be freed.”

[Surah al-Nisā: 92]

(1)

Such a person belonged to the enemy people; yet he had believed and was unable to emigrate, openly profess his faith, or observe its ordinances. Allah therefore called him a believer because he fulfilled as much of faith as he was capable of fulfilling.

Likewise, there was in Mecca a group of believers who remained concealed