Introduction
The
purpose
of
the
inquiry
The
need
to
understand
the
real
attitude
of
Islam
towards
the
People
of
the
Book
is
significant.
Recently,
this
subject
has
received
much
attention
from
the
Western
and
Muslim
trends.
It
is
one
of
the
persistent
issues
that
still
needs
more
clarification.
Ever
since
its
advent
1400
years
ago,
Islam
gave
a
peculiar
attention
to
the
People
of
the
Book.
It
acknowledges
that
there
is
a relationship
of
mercy
between
them
and
Muslims
since
all
having
in
common
the
bases
of
the
true
religion
sent
by
God
to
be
preached
by
His
messengers.
The
study
in
question
aims
to
present
the
Islamic
perception
of
the
People
of
the
Book
(ahl
al-Kitäb),
more
precisely
Jews
and
Christians.
The
study
shall
endeavour
to
investigate
the
coexistence
between
these
two
groups
and
Muslims
within
a specific
era.
In
general,
the
attitude
toward
these
People
of
the
Book
in
the
Islamic
territories
was
shaped
in
principle
in
accordance
with
the
concept
of
dhimma,
meaning
protection
granted
to
them
by
agreement
or
treaty.
In
return,
their
lives
and
property
were
protected
and,
in
accordance
with
the
general
attitude
of
Islam
to
infidels,
they
were
assured
liberty
of
faith
and
worship.
They
were
also
permitted
to
organize
themselves
as
they
wished,
and
the
Jews
fully
availed
themselves
of
that
permission.
Muslim
attitude
towards
the
People
of
the
Book
seems
a
wide
subject
that
still
occupies
a
broad-spectrum
of
opinions
ranging
from
support
to
opposition.
In
order
to
achieve
this
objective,
the
researcher
has
therefore
searched
through
scattered
historical
writings
of
different
tendencies
that
are
involved,
either
directly
or
indirectly
on
the
study.
This
subject
has
not
been
tackled
in
full
before
in
its
present
context
because,
most
probably,
it
might
have
been
not
important
enough
in
previous
times
a
like
nowadays.
It
is becoming
of
a vital
importance
in
our
times
especially
after
there
have
been
some
misconceptions
regarding
the
Muslim/
non-Muslim
relations.
This
thesis
is,
however,
not
entirely
dedicated
to
investigate
the
legal
status
of
the
People
of
the
Book
since
this
subject
has
already
been
tackled
by
some
other
authors.
Nor
the
objective
of
which
is
to
describe
the
long
course
of
events
and
clashes
that
occurred
throughout
different
historical
epochs.
The
inquiry
tries
to
analyze
the
Muslim
non-
Muslim
relations
within
a  specific
era
and
to
show
to
what
extent
these
relations
extended.
Above
all,
the
study
probes
to
give
a
brief
account
of
the
encounters
that
had
taken
place
among
the
followers
of
the
three
divine
religions
within
that
era.
Furthermore,
the
study
suggests
that
these
spiritual
kinship
relations
might
be
reconsidered
on
the
basis
of
a religious
prospective.
The
task
of
the
researcher
is
primarily
not
to
identify
the
relevant
sources
concerning
the
People
of
the
Book,
rather,
is
to
gather
these
sources,
analyze
them,
and
bring
them
together
into
one
separate
work.
Finally,
the
thesis
aims
to
present
the
today's
point
of
view
of
how
Muslims
should
deal
with
the
People
of
the
Book
in
the
light
of
the
Qur'än
and
f7adith.
Scope
and
limitation
of
the
study
The
sphere
of
this
study
might
cover
a
variety
of
opinions
in
Islamic
studies.
Due
to
the
wideness
of
this
subject,
I have
to
confine
myself
to
two
significant
periods:
i.
e.
the
mission
of
prophet
Muhammad
(571-631
AD/0-11
AH)
and
the
reign
of
the
Caliph
`Umar
Ibn
a1-Khattäb
(13-23
A. H/633-643
A. D).
In
doing
so,
the
Qur'än,
the
traditions
of
the
Prophet
will
be
the
main
bases
of
the
thesis.
The
views
of
the
four
Sunni
Muslim
schools
of
law
and
their
importance
to
the
subject
according
to
the
exigency
of
their
times
will
be
taken
into
consideration
as
well.
The
constitution
of
Medina
that
the
Prophet
concluded
with
the
Jews
of
Medina
is
another
subsidiary
document
of
the
thesis.
In
addition
the
practices
of
the
Caliph
`Umar
will
be
reviewed

Book A Reappraisal of Attitudes to the 'People of the Book' in the Qur'an and hadrth, with

articular Reference to Muslim Fiscal policy and the Covenant of 'Umar author : Mahmood Hassaan alDenawy
A Reappraisal of Attitudes to the 'People of the Book' in the Qur'an and hadrth, with articular Reference to Muslim Fiscal policy and the Covenant of 'Umar

Book A Reappraisal of Attitudes to the 'People of the Book' in the Qur'an and hadrth, with articular Reference to Muslim Fiscal policy and the Covenant of 'Umar author : Mahmood Hassaan alDenawy
A Reappraisal of Attitudes to the 'People of the Book' in the Qur'an and hadrth, with articular Reference to Muslim Fiscal policy and the Covenant of 'Umar