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Ahl al-Kitab
ʔhlaːlktaːb
The term “Ahl al-Kitab” translates in English to “People of the Book” and is a Quranic term referring to followers of those religions which are based on books previously revealed by God. There is a widely held consensus that the category “Ahl al-Kitab” definitely includes Jews, Christians and Sabians. The books revealed to Jews and Christians are named in the Quran as at-Tawraah (the Torah revealed to Moses), az-Zabur (the Psalms revealed to David), and al-Injeel (the Gospel revealed to Jesus).
Term Variants: People of the book
How this term should be used
Journalists who wish to write about interfaith relations and to explore the Islamic view on non-Muslims would be well advised to familiarise themselves with the concept of Ahl al-Kitab, as it provides a concrete precedent for religious tolerance in Islam.
The People of the Book are protected groups in Islam. When living under Islamic rulers, they were historically known as Dhimmis (non-Muslims under protection of Muslim Law) and were not obliged to convert to Islam. In the early Muslim conquests, they were expected to pay a poll-tax called “Jizyah” in lieu of performing military service.
Muslim men are permitted to marry women from the People of the Book, even if they do not convert to Islam. Muslim women, however, are only permitted to marry Muslim men.