Re: Are Hindus considered people of the book?
Satsriakaal.
(I thought i'd clarify before i post im a Sikh and not a Hindu rajput)
If im not mistaken, along with the Jews, Muslims, Christians and the isralieties which was mentioned earlier etc the Zorastrians are also considered the people of the book (its an Iranian religion).
About the question... i dont think its a dumb question... i thinks its quite a wise question because if i remember correctly the Quran says that every nation has recieved a revalation or a messenger something on the lines of that (please correct me if im wrong)... and it might be worth learning about the Vedas... since Hindus consider this scripture the literal word of God... its considerd shruti (its that... or if im mistaken its smriti) anyway which ever one it is its the one that means 'the heard' which was the literal word of God, which to whom it was revelaed to the rishis... who spread this Vedic philosophy..which was revealed to them rishi's which was passed down orally and finally written down later... and i think its one of the oldest, if not the oldest scripture in the world. And the Vedas is considered to have authority over all of the other Hindu scriptures because they are considered to be smirti (i think- or its the smriti one- as ive said above).
And if i remember correctly the Quran also says that all the signs and warnings are in the previous revleations... and the Vedas prophesises the coming of the prophet Muhammed... and even prophises the coming of Guru Nanak and his 9 successors and a silent stage (the Siri Guru Granth Sahib ji) in the age of Kali yuga when ppl will be fiull of corruption etc... which ill explain in the 'Guru Nanak was a Muslim' thread later if i got time. However some Christians say that the Vedas was changed, to add argument that the prophet Muhammed wasnt prophesised hence wasnt a prophet... because otherwise the Christian doctrines would be proved false such as the trinity... which i doubt the Vedas was changed because of the fact that the Vedas was so widespread and some of the arguments can be counter argued... but anyways its better off if you's search and study for yourself and come to conclusions for yourself rather than me giving my opinions.
By the way i thought i'd add that the Vedas does tell us there is only one formless God... who has no shape or form etc... who wasnt timeless etc (fits in with the Sikh doctrines of Ekonkar- one God/ Islam's tawhid) but all these Hindu God's and Godesses are considered by Hindu's to be manifestions of the one formless Lord to show humans the way etc when we are going astray. And you will see alot of simularities between Islam, and Hinduism if you study deeply... which there are loads and you will be very suprised. Which after you may consider Hindu's to be people of the book... depending on what conclusion you come up with about the Vedas.
peace