Who are the People of the Book?

Q 5: Who are the People of the Book nowadays? Christians (the crusaders) believe in the Trinity, so they associate others with Allah in worship. The same applies to the Jews who killed the prophets and fought Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they also claimed that they are Allah's beloved people and said: The hand of Allah is chained. (Part No. 3; Page No. 422) Please enlighten us, may Allah give you the best reward!

A: The People of The Book are the Jews and Christians, even if they were Mushriks at the time of the revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Aspects of their Shirk are stated by Allah (Glorified be He). The Christians deified Christ (peace be upon him) and worshipped him along with Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allâh is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). Likewise, Allah states that all the people of the Book have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Him and that the Jews said that `Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) 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 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh. Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims." Moreover, the Christian belief of the Trinity is stated and forbidden by Allah as He (Exalted be He) says: O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion until His saying: Say not: “Three (trinity)!” Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allâh is (the only) One Ilâh (God) (Part No. 3; Page No. 423) There are many other Ayahs denoting their Shirk and disbelief at the time of Wahy (Revelation). Allah has named them the People of the Book in different occurrences in Qur'an.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.