Chapter 98 - 78
The Clear Evidence (Surah Al-Bayyinah)
(8 verses in total; two years before Hijrah/Makkah)
In the name of Allah, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Those who disbelieve among the People of the Book1 and the polytheists2 could not shake off their condition until the clear evidence3 came to them – a Messenger from Allah, reciting pages that are pure and contain all the right revelations! (Yet) the People of the Book became divided when the clear evidence came to them, whereas all they were asked was to serve Allah, being sincere in their faith and committed, to maintain ritual worship (salat) and to purify their wealth (zakat) – this is the true religion! (v. 1-5)
Those who deny from among the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the fire, to remain therein – they are the worst of creations! Whereas those who believe and do good are the best of creations, whose rewards – Everlasting Gardens with fountains flowing beneath where they will reside forever! Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him! This is the condition of those who are mindful of Sustainer God! (v. 6-8)
1 “ahlil Kitab” – People of the Book are commonly understood to be Jews and Christians as they read the books (revelations) of God, namely the Torah and the Bible.
2 The Arabs – though a descendent of Ishmael and Abraham, were polytheists at the time when Prophet Mohammad appeared in Arabia, as they lost the true monotheism preached by Abraham.
3 “Al-Bayyinah” derived from the verb ‘bayyana’ meaning to make or to become clear, apparent, manifest, evident as used in 2:219 regarding intoxicant and gambling or in 3:118 to be discreet as to who you trust or not. Prophet Mohammad (16:64), Prophet Jesus (43:63) and Moses (2:92) are mentioned, in these and other verses to have brought clear proof with them as messengers of God.
