Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you," meaning: justice, "[and that is] that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him, and that we not take one another as lords instead of Allah."

Yahya [narrated] from al-Mu‘alla ibn Hilal, from Abu Bakr ibn ‘Abd Allah, from Mus‘ab ibn Sa‘d, from ‘Adi ibn Hatim, who said: "I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) while there was a cross around my neck. He said: 'O ‘Adi, cast this idol away from your neck.' So I cast it away. Then I came to him while he was reciting Surah Bara’ah. When he reached His saying: 'They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah,' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, we did not take them as lords besides Allah.' He said: 'Indeed; do they not permit for you what Allah has forbidden to you, and you deem it lawful; and do they forbid for you what Allah has permitted to you, and you deem it forbidden?' I said: 'Yes.' He said: 'That is their worship [of them].'" "If they turn away, then say," meaning: the Prophet and the believers, "'Bear witness that we are Muslims.'"