ahl al-kitab (ahl al-kitāb)

(Language: Arabic)

Short Description: Term referring to those communities of non-Muslim peoples who have been given a sacred scripture by God

Long Description: People of the Book; a Qur’ānic term referring to those communities of non-Muslim peoples—particularly Jews and Christians—who have been given a sacred scripture by God. These peoples were granted special status and protection under Islamic law provided they paid a tax to the Islamic state or were willing to participate in jihād along with the Muslims.

Sources: Islam, Fundamentalism, and the Betrayal of Tradition, edited by Dr. Joseph Lumbard