The Qur'anic concept of ahl al-kitab ("People of the Book") has a theological significance for Muslims, showing a sympathetic perception of other religions, particularly Jews and Christians, who share the same monotheistic belief as Muslims. There are many references to abl al-kitab in the Qur'an which may be grouped into two categories: the sympathetic verses which give ahl al-kitab a status similar to that of Muslims and the ambivalent verses which condemn the ahl al-kitab. In this study, surat Al 'Imran (3): 64, 113, 114 and 115 are chosen as examples of sympathetic verses. Six major works of selected classical and modern exegesis, from different schools of thought, are used in the analysis of these verses. Classical exegetes do not suggest any development of the concept of ahl al-kitab, while the modern exegetes include all religious communities in addition to Jews, Christians and Muslims. / The Qur'an itself recognizes the existence of good people among the ahl al-kitab and invites people of diverse faiths to come to a "common word" (kalimatin sawa'in) to establish mutual understanding through critical dialogue. This would, in turn, enable all people to work together to build a new civilization and greater harmony. This thesis avails itself of the fundamental teachings of the Qur'an on ahl ak-kitab and of Muslims' exegesis, as well as secondary scholarship on this topic. The concept of ahl al-kitab is shown to have novel relevance for our religiously pluralist world both today and for the future.

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