No Power over God’s Bounty: A Christian Commentary on the People of Scripture in the Qur'an

The Qur'an often addresses Jews and Christians as People of Scripture

to indicate that they have received revelation from God. Yet, while

acknowledging the special relationship and knowledge that this

revelation brings, the Qur'an at the same time criticizes the People of

Scripture for not remaining true to God’s guidance and claiming special

power over God’s gifts. The mixture of acknowledgment and criticism is

based on actual encounters with Jews and Christians at the time of the

revelation of the Qur'an. This Christian commentary on the 31 texts in

which the Qur'an discusses and addresses the People of Scripture

includes the Muslim tradition of interpretation of these texts and adds

Christian resonances in order to contribute to future dialogue between

Muslims and Christians on the common heritage and the differences

between them.