❖ The Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ and the Fate of Disbelieving People of the Book ❖
By: Hāmid Kamāl al-Dīn, Sahāfi Aīqāẓ Quarterly
Issue Analysis
This subject involves two fundamental aspects:➊ The obligation of belief in the final Messenger ﷺ for Jews, Christians, and others post his advent.
➋ The definition and types of disbelief (kufr) and its theological implications.
✦ 1. Belief in the Final Messenger ﷺ
According to Islamic doctrine, belief in the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is obligatory for every human being after his prophethood—whether they are Jews, Christians, or followers of any other creed.The Qur'an explicitly affirms this, for instance:
﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ...﴾ (Sūrat al-Bayyinah)
This verse clearly states that those among the People of the Book who deny Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood are destined for Hellfire.
✿ Addressing the Apparent Contradiction
Some cite Sūrat al-Baqarah (2:62) to argue that Jews or Christians may attain salvation by believing only in Allah and the Last Day. However, this understanding contradicts the definitive verses such as those in Sūrat al-Bayyinah.Hence, Sūrah al-Baqarah (2:62) must be interpreted in the light of later revealed and clearer (muḥkam) verses.
✦ 2. The Meaning and Forms of Kufr (Disbelief)
Kufr is not limited to arrogance (istikbār). It encompasses various forms:➤ Kufr al-Istikbār – Arrogance in the face of truth.
➤ Kufr al-Juḥūd – Denial despite knowledge.
➤ Kufr al-Shakk – Doubt in the truth.
➤ Kufr al-Iʿrāḍ – Turning away from the truth altogether.
Claiming that only arrogant rejection qualifies as kufr is a narrow and flawed definition. If that were the case, then those who simply ignore or remain indifferent to Allah or the Hereafter would not be considered disbelievers—which contradicts the core Islamic teachings.
✦ The Theological Necessity
There are only two valid theological positions:➊ Either belief in the Prophet ﷺ is optional, which is clearly against the Qur'an and Sunnah,
➋ Or one must accept that belief in the Prophet ﷺ is obligatory upon every Jew, Christian, and all others, and denial of this belief constitutes disbelief (kufr) and eternal damnation, according to the Qur'an.
✔ Summary
➤ Verses like Sūrat al-Baqarah (2:62) must be understood in the context of clear and conclusive (muḥkam) verses.➤ Belief in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is mandatory for all people after his prophethood.
➤ Those who reject his message fall under one of the many types of kufr.
➤ Kufr is not confined to arrogance; it includes denial, doubt, and disregard.
➤ The Qur'anic methodology gives precedence to clear commands over ambiguous passages.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ
