Al-Kitab (Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians, as well as the Sabians, who are possessors of divine books (i.e., the Torah, the Gospel, and the Avesta), as distinguished from those whose religions are not based on divine revelations.
Muhammad gave certain privileges to Ahl al-Kitāb that are not to be given to people of Other Faiths. Ahl al-Kitāb are granted freedom of worship; thus, during the early Muslim conquests, Jews and Christians were not forced to convert to Islam and had only to pay a special tax (jizya) for their exemption from military service. Muslim authorities are responsible for the protection and well-being of Ahl al-Kitāb.)
