Unanswered Questions

Unanswered Questions - please e-mail answers to fatwa@fatwa.org.za
1. The Qur'an allows Muslim males to marry females from "Ahl-ul-Kitaab - The people of the Book." This refers to Yahood (Jew) and Nasaarah females. However, Indian Hanafi Ulema have differences of opinion regarding the classification of Christians in our era as "People of the Book" due to the various beliefs held by factions among the Christians e.g. Catholics, Protestants, 7 Day Adventists, Anglican, Dutch Reformed Church, Re-born Christians, etc. The dominant issue relates to the differences in belief of present Christians in comparison to the Nasaarah society of the prophetic period. This issue needs to be answered. The Hanafi scholars do not reject the clear prescription of the Qur'an, rather they question the interpretation of the category "people of the Book" in relation to the diversity of beliefs among the Nasaarah that emerged after the period of revelation. Do contemporary Christians believe as the Nasaarah of the past? However, the Qur'anic verse which defines "those who say Esa (Jesus) is the son of Allah have indeed disbelieved" also needs clarification and interpretation. The only group among them which do not consider Esa A.S. as the son of God is the Jehovah's witnesses. Some other groups among them may hold the belief of "Jesus is the son of God" in a figurative manner and not in the real sense. Kindly provide your views in this regard.
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