Judging the People of the Book who do not believe in the mission of Muhammad to be Kafirs

Q 3: The Glorious Qur’an explicitly declares the People of the Book to be disbelievers except for those among them who have believed in the Message of Muhammad (peace be upon him) (i.e. the Qur’an). The Jews claimed that ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, whereas the Christians claimed that Jesus Christ is the son of Allah, on account of which the Qur’an has explicitly declared them to be disbelievers, stating (what means): Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” In spite of the above-mentioned decisive textual evidence, some scholars claim that the People of the Book are not disbelievers and are to be called the “People of the Book” and nothing more. Please, enlighten us on this issue.

A: Those who hold such a view are disbelievers, for they deny the explicit texts in the Qur‘an and Sunnah judging the People of the Book to be disbelievers. Allah (Exalted be He) says (what means): O people of the Scripture! (Jews and Christians): "Why do you disbelieve in the Ayât of Allâh, [the Verses about Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم present in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] while you (yourselves) bear witness (to their truth)." ... To the end of the relevant Ayahs from (Surah Al-‘Imran). He also says: Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allâh is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). ... to the end of the relevant Ayahs from (Surah Al-Ma’idah). Allah, moreover, says: Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” (Part No. 2; Page No. 31)  (Surah Al-Ma’idah). Allah also says: And the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allâh, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allâh. That is their saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. Allâh’s Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth! ... and other relevant Ayahs from (Surah Al-Tawbah). Allah (Exalted be He) also says: Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikûn, were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence. (Surah Al-Bayyinah). Allah, moreover, says: Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allâh, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allâh and His Messenger Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. In addition to many other Ayahs in the Qur’an to the same effect.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.