Question

As “people of the book,” Christians and Jews were protected if they followed the rules. But as non-Muslims in the Islamic world, or dhimmi as they were called, they occupied a second-class status. For example, Christians and Jews were forbidden from giving testimony against a Muslim in a law court; they could be enslaved by Muslims but could not enslave a Muslim; and they were forbidden from living in Islam’s most sacred cities of Medina and Mecca. Across Islamic Asia, there was a great amount of variation in how strictly these rules were followed. In important cities like Baghdad, the rules were followed very strictly. But in small and less important towns, there was more leniency.

Based on the passage, why were Jews and Christians protected in the Islamic world?

Jews and Christians wore distinctive clothing so Muslims could identify them.
Jews and Christians had been released from enslavement by Muslims.
Jews, Christians, and Muslims all worshiped the God of Abraham and Moses.
Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived together in Islamic cities.

Answer 1

Jews, Christians, and Muslims all worshiped the God of Abraham and Moses. As "people of the book" (Ahl al-Kitāb), Christians and Jews were granted protected status because they shared the same scriptural tradition.