Clarification of Dealing with the People of the Book and the Atheist

Question:
The question asks: Is the person from the People of the Book and the irreligious atheist equal in rank regarding dealings?

Answer:
As for worldly dealings, there is no difference between the People of the Book and others. We deal with them in worldly matters; we sell to them and buy from them, and we import from them. There is no harm, whether they are Jews or not, or whether they are polytheists or idolaters. Worldly dealings are fine; buying and selling and learning their expertise are fine. Worldly interests are fine. However, in terms of religion, there is no doubt that the People of the Book are lighter in disbelief than the idolaters and the materialists. They are lighter in disbelief. Therefore, Islam singled them out with specific rulings, such as the contract of protection (dhimmah), the permissibility of marrying them, and eating their slaughtered animals. Islam singled them out for this, unlike others. They are lighter in disbelief than the idolaters and the polytheists, because the idolaters and polytheists do not believe in a heavenly religion and do not believe in a messenger.
So these are lighter in disbelief than them in this regard. From another perspective, the Jews and the Christians are heavier in disbelief than the idolaters, because the Jews and the Christians have knowledge but did not act upon it. They disobeyed Allah with full awareness. The idolaters are generally ignorant. So they are heavier in disbelief than the Jews and the Christians in this regard. Heavier in disbelief than the idolaters in this regard. So each of them has a type of disbelief that the other does not have. In summary, they are all disbelievers; because anyone who opposes the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and does not follow him is a disbeliever, whether Jewish, Christian, idolater, or otherwise. Yes.