3.23 – They were called to the Book of God in order that it might judge between them

This verse draws attention to “those who were given a portion of the Book.” These are not further identified, and neither is the “Book of God” specified nor the one who did the calling. This lack of context and identification is typical of many passages in the Quran.

The Islamic interpretive tradition identified the caller as Muhammad, the audience as the Jews of Medina, and the “Book of God” as the Torah. Muslim commentators have differed about the issue that needed judgment, but all seem to have agreed that the messenger of Islam appealed to the authority of the Torah.

If by “the Book of God” the Quran indeed means the Torah, this verse seems to be a remarkable, unqualified nod to the authority of the pre-Islamic scriptures. The same kind of recommendation of the Torah – without caveats – seems to come later in this sūra at verse 93 and also at 10.94. See the comment on such verses at 10.94.