Shirk Of Ahl-ul-Kitab After Itmam-e-Hujjat And The Definition Of Ahl-ul-Kitab
Since they do not confess blatant shirk but interpret their belief in the Trinity as monotheism, that is why, despite calling their belief shirk, God did not label them mushrik technically. Only those can hope to get their wrong belief excused who may have a reason which might be acceptable as indicated in sura al-Maida, verse 116 to the end of surah. To believe in the prophet Muhammad is necessary for all including the people of the book who come across this news and they have the resources and means to verify it. Their questions and doubts are to be cleared first. Then their fate will be decided by God in the light of his absolute knowledge and justice.