Who are Ahl-e-Kitaab

Many Muslims are of the view that when Quran addresses or uses the term AHL-e-Kitaab it refers to Jews and Christian only and nothing to do with us as Muslims. My question to such Muslims would be, that whenever Allah says, Oh Ahl-e-Kitaab, Allah would address them and not us, the addressee of the Quran? It’s like I would write a letter addressed to my father but in that letter, I would keep on saying Oh my mother. Does it make sense?

Let’s understand what does it mean by the words Ahl and Kitaab as per Quran.

KITAAB (كِتَابَ) KUTIBA (كُتِبَ)

The word Kutiba means recording, writing or to write or to record something or it being made compulsory as an obligation, an order, or a decision. Kitaab means a book, a collection of pages combined together in the form of a book. Quran has also referred Kitaab as the collection and compilation of all our deeds for the purpose of accountability on the day of judgment. AL-Kitaab, the book, means the Book of Revelations as revealed by Allah that has been made farz/fard- obligatory to follow and comply with on all the Ahle-kitaab, the people of the Kitaab- that is those on whom is the responsibility of the Kitaab, on whom the book has been given through any of Allah’s Nabi or Rasool. As per Quran, ayah 42:13, 2:136 & 3:84, it’s the same Kitaab that was revealed on All of Allah’s Rusul and Nabiyeen, which embodies the Kutub. i.e., all the rules and regulations by Allah. It is the Hidayah, the Deen- that’s given as blessings by Allah. When we read something and never act upon it, it is called reading or ‘reciting’ a Book, however the word Tilawat, does not mean just recitation or even just reading. When in Ayah 2:121 Allah says that “Those to whom We have given the Kitaab, Yatloonahu as is the Haqq of its Tillawat, they are those who have Emaan on it”, clarifies the concept of Emaan on Kitaan- that the Haqq, the due right of the Kitaab is the obligation to follow it & obey it, which shows the firm Emaan on the Kitaab, the complete internalization of its benefits and taking the guidance from it. The Kitaab is the book of revelation given to us by Allah as Hidayah, the Risaalat the Naboat, the Wahi. X-Reference – 2:121 , 2:136, 3:84, 4:136, 6:38, 17:14, 42:13.

AHL & AHLEHA (أَهْلِهَا) AHLEHINNA (أَهْلِهِنَّ)

The word Ahleha is normally translated as families, for instance as used in ayah 4:25, but the overall meanings of the word is more in terms of ‘those who take care of’ or ‘responsible for’, as used in the phrase Ahle-kitaab, for example in ayahs 2:109 meaning those who were given the Kitaab- Allah’s revelations, and therefore are indebted in terms of those aspects of Aiemaan (oath, covenant with Allah) which pertains to their responsibilities related to Allah’s revelations, in terms of Tillwat, as Haqq of Tilawat, understand, listen, follow, obey and Iqra, apply practically in lives, compile and communicate to others as it is. Similar meanings and context in terms of the Amaanat of the Kitaab and the responsibilities thereof are referred in the ayah 4:58 with the phrase “Indeed, Allah Ya’Marukum (ordains) you that you Tu’addu (discharge, carry out your responsibilities towards) the Amanaat (trust and duties as trustee of Allah’s Kalam & Hidaya) to Ahleha (Ahl-e-Kitaab- those who are given the duties and responsibilities of the Kitaab) …” Therefore, it is also used in the meanings of owners as well, for instance in ayah 5:58 “Indeed Allah orders you to render the Amanat to their Ahleha (owners, those who are the rightful haqq, the responsibility) and when you judge between the people, judge with Adal-justice…” Similarly, when the terms Ahlehinna is used in ayah 4:25, it means those who were taking care of or were responsible for these people and therefore their permission is sought. Therefore, the word not only means families, well-wishers, household members (as in ayah 3:121 with word Ahleka) but anyone and everyone who is the caretaker and responsible for the person. It is also used in the meanings of those who are allies or nation or of the same side, or people as in ayah 4:75 “…Our Rabb take us out of this town, the Zaalim Ahliha and appoint for us from yourself a Waliy…” It is also used in the meanings of spouses as well for instance in ayah 12:25 as an integral part of one’s family. The word ahlatahihi for instance as per its use in ayah 2:189 also means the process of removing something, stripping off, removing of cover, passing off, separating darkness from light etc. Hence in the above context الْأَهِلَّةِ is peeling-off of old beliefs or ideas or superficial knowledge for new knowledge and genuine ideas. Therefore, the process of Hajj, is going to help to peel off old beliefs, preconceived ideas and impurities of our soul. X-Reference – 2:109 , 2:189, 3:121, 4:25 , 4:58 , 4:75 , 5:58 , 12:25.

Conclusion

Quran addresses its audience as follows

Ya Bani Adam
Ya Bani Israel
Ya those who have Emaan
Ya Ahle Kitaab
Ya Rasool
Ya Nabiy

We have not come across a single verse with the addressee as the Kafireen, with the exception of Ayah no. 66:7. The earlier Ayah that is Ayah no. 6 is the divine guidance to us to save not only ourselves but our Ahleha- those whom we are responsible for, our family and loved ones under our care to save them from the fire…then this ayah when Quran, seem to address the Kaafireen, it is also actually addressing us, as Muslims, to save our Ahleha from the fire- those who are kaafireen. In fact, this ayah is sandwiched between two ayahs both addressing us as Oh you who have Emaan, and this one two is applicable to us in terms of our Ahle.

The term AHL-e-Kitaab refers to those who are Ahl of the Kitaab (as defined in the above keyword vocabulary of the two words) and therefore includes each and everyone on whom Allah’s Kitaab was revealed including Jews, Christian’s and Muslims. Thus, contrary to most Muslims’ views, when Quran addresses Oh AHL-e-Kitaab Quran is not addressing THEM but us as Muslims too. By limiting the definition of AHL-e-Kitaab to include ONLY Christians and Jews, we Muslims have ignored these ayahs as if these ayahs are addressing someone else and not us.

Therefore, Quran never addresses Kaafireen, since those who do Kufar are NOT the addressee of the Quran. Similarly, others, or them, are the addressee of the Quran, only we are as Muslims. So, with the exception of the last one as Ya Nabiy which is the addressing the Nabiy in his personal capacity, we should take it that for all of the rest. Quran is directly addressing us, as Muslims, regardless of how and with what name Allah is using since we are bani Adam, bani Israel, Ahle Kitaab, the one who has Emaan and Insaan. We, as Muslims are the addressee of the Quran. Therefore, Quran is for us. Each and every ayah is for us, and directly talking to us, addressing us, and giving us Hidayah!.

Source: https://quranthinkers.com/smartphone-app/

WQT