3:69 Some followers of the scripture wish to lead you astray, but they only lead themselves astray, without perceiving.
3:70 O followers of the scripture, why do you reject these revelations of GOD though you bear witness (that this is the truth)?
3:71 O followers of the scripture, why do you confound the truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth, knowingly?
3:72 Some followers of the scripture say, “Believe in what was sent down to the believers in the morning, and reject it in the evening; maybe someday they will revert.
3:73 “And do not believe except as those who follow your religion.” Say, “The true guidance is GOD’s guidance.” If they claim that they have the same guidance, or argue with you about your Lord, say, “All grace is in GOD’s hand; He bestows it upon whomever He wills.” GOD is Bounteous, Omniscient.
3:74 He specifies His mercy for whomever He wills; GOD possesses unlimited grace.
Are these followers of the scripture aware that they are leading people astray? What are some examples?
Despite God providing us with scriptures that are complete and fully detailed the human being constantly wants to seek sources other than God for guidance. The Muslims have done this with Hadith and Sunnah, the Jews with the Talmud, and the Christians with the writings of Paul, priest and others.
7:144 He said, “O Moses, I have chosen you, out of all the people, with My messages and by speaking to you. Therefore, take what I have given you and be appreciative.”
7:145 We wrote for him on the tablets all kinds of enlightenments and details of everything: “You shall uphold these teachings strongly, and exhort your people to uphold them – these are the best teachings. I will point out for you the fate of the wicked.”
Quran, the Whole Quran, and Nothing But the Quran
6:19 Say, “Whose testimony is the greatest?” Say, “GOD’s. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran* has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods* beside GOD.” Say, “I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry.”
6:38 All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book.** To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned.
Hadith & Sunna: Fabrications by the Prophet’s Enemies
6:112 We have permitted the enemies of every prophet – human and jinn devils – to inspire in each other fancy words, in order to deceive. Had your Lord willed, they would not have done it. You shall disregard them and their fabrications.
Important Criterion
6:113 This is to let the minds of those who do not believe in the Hereafter listen to such fabrications, and accept them, and thus expose their real convictions.
Quran: Fully Detailed
6:114 Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed?* Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt.
6:115 The word of your Lord is complete,* in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.
19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
Are these really followers of the scripture or do they only think they are?
They are, but they are deceived by their own schemes.
They confound the truth with falsehood. They want to insert their own understanding and ideas into the religion, and therefore mix truth with falsehood. People do this because they want to appear more knowledgeable so the can exalt their ego and power among the people. By acting like they are privy to special information they are able to convince people that they are superior in righteousness and understanding to them.
3:69 shows that if one has bad intention it will come back at them.
The Hypocrites
2:8 Then there are those who say, “We believe in GOD and the Last Day,” while they are not believers.
2:9 In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving.
What does this mean “believe in the morning and reject it in the evening”?
Some people believe that they have to be righteous during the day and when night time comes around their morality goes out the door. Pray during the day and party at night.
2:14 When they meet the believers, they say, “We believe,” but when alone with their devils, they say, “We are with you; we were only mocking.”