Surah Al-Bayyinah

Having been placed after Surah 96: al-’Alaq (The Clinging Substance) and Surah as to when it was revealed, and in this Surah, it has been explained why it was necessary to send a Messenger along with this Book.

First of all, the need of sending a Messenger has been explained as follows; the people of the world, be they from among the followers of the earlier scriptures or from among the idolaters, could not possibly be freed from their state of unbelief, until a Messenger was sent whose appearance by itself should be a clear proof of his apostleship, and he should present the Book of Allah before the people in its original, pristine form, which should be free from every mixture of falsehood corrupting the earlier Divine Books, and which should comprise sound teachings. Then, about the errors of the followers of the earlier Books it has been said that the cause of their straying into different creeds was not that Allah had not provided any guidance to them, but they strayed only after a clear statement of the Right Creed had come to them. From this it automatically follows that they themselves were responsible for their error and deviation. Now, if even after the coming of the clear statement through this Messenger, they continued to stray, their responsibility would further increase.

In this very connection, it has been stated that the Prophets who came from Allah and the Books sent down by Him, did not enjoin anything but that the way of sincere and true service to Allah be adopted, apart from all other ways, no one else’s worship, service or obedience be mixed with His, the prayer (salat) be established and the financial obligation (Zakah) be paid. From this also it automatically follows that the followers of the earlier scriptures, straying from this true religion, have added unrelated things to it, which are false, and Allah’s Messenger has come to invite them back to the same original faith.

In conclusion, it has been pointed out clearly that the followers of the earlier Books and the idolaters who would refuse to acknowledge this Messenger are the worst of creatures; their punishment is an everlasting Hell. The people who would believe and act righteously, and would spend life in the world in awe of Allah, are the best of creatures; their reward is eternal Paradise wherein they will live forever. Allah became pleased with them and they became pleased with Allah.

Virtues of the Surah Narrated Anas bin Malik (ra), “The Prophet ﷺsaid to Ubay (bin Ka’b). “Allah has ordered me to recite to you, “Those who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture and among the idolaters are not going to stop (from their disbelief.’) (Surah 98) Ubay said, “Did Allah mention me by name?” The Prophet ﷺsaid, “Yes.” On that, Ubay wept.” (Bukhari)