1. The People of the Book who disbelieve and the idolators would not be cut off from what they have until the Clear Sign, Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to them:

2. …a Messenger (the Prophet Mu˛ammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) from Allah reciting purified texts – pages which are free of any falsehood –

3. …containing upright precepts – written judgements when it is recited, meaning the Qur’an. Some believed in it and some rejected it.

4. Those who were given the Book which mentions belief in the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not divide into sects until after the Clear Sign – referring to the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, or the Qur’an which he brought as a miracle – came to them. Before that, they used to agree that they would believe in him when he came. Those of them who rejected him envied him.

5. They were only ordered – in their Books, the Torah and the Gospel – to worship Allah without committing shirk, making their din sincerely His, as people of pure natural belief – the word hunafa’, the plural of hanif, means being upright by following the dın of Ibrahim and the din of Muhammad – and to establish the prayer and pay zakat. That is the correct dın. So how can they reject that?

6. The People of the Book who disbelieve and the idolators will be in the Fire of Hell, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. This is from Allah Almighty. They are the worst of creatures.

7. But those who believe and do right actions are the best of creatures.

8. Their reward is with their Lord: they will stay in Gardens of Eden with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever and ever. Allah is pleased with them for their obedience – and they are pleased with Him for the rewards He gives. That is for those who fear the Punishment of their Lord and do not disobey Him.