Q 1: Some scholars say: "The Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in worship) of this Ummah (nation) should be similar in status to the People of the Book with regard to the permissibility of eating the animals they slaughter and marrying their women. They justify this by saying that the Book of the Jews is the Tawrah (Torah) and their prophet is Musa (Moses) even if they are liars. (Part No. 1; Page No. 215) The same applies to the Christians. Their Book is the Injil (Gospel) and their prophet is 'Isa (Jesus) even if they are liars. These people claim to be the followers of their prophets but they have abandoned their religions. Those resemble the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in worship) of this Ummah. They claim that their Book is the Qur'an and that their Prophet is Muhammad (peace be upon him). Therefore, it is permissible to marry their women and to eat the animals they slaughter and the same is permissible with regard to the People of the Book.

A: Whoever believes in Muhammad (peace be upon him) then associates others in worship with Allah through making Sujud (Prostration), vowing or slaughtering for any one other than Allah is not similar to the People of the Book. They are apostates who should be asked to repent for three days after pointing out the truth to them. If they do not repent, they should be killed. Their property will go to Bayt-ul-Mal (Muslim treasury) and not to their Muslim inheritors. It is not permissible for them to marry Muslim women and the animals slaughtered by them are unlawful for Muslims. Moreover, their marriage contract to Muslim women should be annulled. The matter is different with regard to disbelievers from among the People of the Book. They inherit from each other and their marriage is valid. The animals they slaughter are lawful and they are to be invited to accept Islam. If they do not accept Islam, they have to pay Jizyah (poll tax required from non-Muslims living in an Islamic state). They should not be killed due to their disbelief.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.