Who are "ahlul kitab"?

Sources

• ✓ 3:199 · Aal-i-Imraan

  3:199 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَمَن يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ خَٰشِعِينَ لِلَّهِ لَا يَشْتَرُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًا ۗ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ

  And lo! of the People of the Scripture there are some who believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto you and that which was revealed unto them, humbling themselves before Allah. They purchase not a trifling gain at the price of the revelations of Allah. Verily their reward is with their Lord. Lo! Allah is swift to take account.

• ✓ Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an on 3:199

  Shia

  Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an · 3:199

  Recitation Variants: None explicitly mentioned for this verse. Language: The root of the word 'al-khashu' (الخُشوع) relates to smoothness, derived from 'al-khash'ah,' which denotes ease or softness in sand, similar to a small hillock (ar-rabwah). Someone who is 'khasi' (خاشع) in relation to the earth is one whose footsteps cannot be traced because the sand effaces their marks. The 'khashi'' is one who humbly lowers his gaze. 'Al-Khashu',' spiritual humility, is the act of meek submission, as opposed to pride or harshness. Grammar Parsing (I'raab): The word 'khashi'in' (خاشعين, 'humble') is in the accusative case, functioning as a circumstantial qualifier (hal) for the pronoun in 'yu’minu' (يؤمن). This pronoun is connected to 'man' (من), meaning 'those among.' Some say it is hal on the pronoun in 'unzila ilayhim' (أُنزل إليهم), the object of 'to,' but the former view is preferred as better. Occasion of Revelation (Nuzul): Scholars differ on when this verse was revealed. Some say it was revealed concerning the Negus (the king of Abyssinia), named 'Ashhama,' an Arabic name 'Atiyyah.' When he died, the angel Gabriel informed the Prophet Muhammad of his death on the very day it occurred. The Prophet said: 'Bring them out and offer prayer for a brother who died outside your land.' The people asked: 'Who?' He said, 'The Negus.' The Prophet went out towards Al-Baqi' cemetery, sighted the Negus's bier from Medina across to Abyssinia, and prayed over it. The hypocrites remarked mockingly that he prayed for a Christian Abyssinian he never saw, who was not of their faith. Then God revealed this verse. This report is attributed to Jabir ibn Abdullah, Ibn Abbas, Anas, and Qatadah. Others said it was revealed about a group of forty men from the people of Najran, from Banu Harith ibn Ka'ab, and thirty-two from Abyssinia, and eight from the Romans, all followers of Jesus who believed in the Prophet Muhammad, as narrated by Ata'. Another narration says it was revealed about a group of Jews who embraced Islam, including Abdullah ibn Salam and others, from Ibn Jurayj, Ibn Zaid, and Ibn Ishaq. Another opinion is that it was revealed concerning all faithful people of the Book, as the verse may be revealed due to a specific reason but remain general in meaning, per Mujahid. Meaning: After having censured the people of the Book earlier, God describes a group among them characterized by faith and truthfulness: 'Indeed among the People of the Book are those who believe in God and in what was revealed to you and what was revealed to them, humble before God...' This means from Jews and Christians, some truly believe in God and affirm His oneness, and they believe what was revealed both to the believers (the Quran) and to themselves (Torah, Gospel). 'Humble before God' means submissive and obedient to Him, modest in their submission as a form of servitude. Ibn Zaid explains 'khashi'' as one who is submissive, humble, and fearful. Al-Hasan said that 'al-khashu'' is the fear that the heart binds upon God. 'They do not buy God's signs for a small price' means they do not accept bribes or sustenance in exchange for distorting or concealing the truth—as others did who are described as having 'bought error for guidance.' Then the verse continues: 'Those are the ones who have a reward with their Lord. Indeed, God is swift in account.' This means their righteous deeds' rewards are secured with God and He will recompense them fully on the Day of Judgment. 'God is swift in account' signifies that God is not delayed in retribution towards those deserving it. He fully sees and knows all deeds before and after they occur, so He does not need to tally them countlessly, which would cause delay. Some explain it to mean He judges all creation at once; when He judges one person, it's as if He has judged all, for He can address each simultaneously, as explained by Abu Ali al-Jubay'i. God specifically mentions this category among the People of the Book to indicate that their recompense is secure and generous, and that disbelief of some among them will not harm these faithful ones.