Bayian: Introduction to English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Bayyinah

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Introduction to English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Bayyinah

Name of the Surah

This surah is named Al-Bayyinah because it begins with this ayah:

98:1 Those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists would not leave off their way until the clear proof ‘al-Bayyinah’ should come to them.

Al-Bayyinah means evidence and proof.

The disbelievers among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will not leave their way of disbelieving in the Oneness of Allah until clear proof should come to them, namely, the Quran that Allah revealed to His Messenger Muhammad.

Surah al-Bayyinah was revealed in al-Madinah.

Relationship between Surah Al-Qadr and Surah Al-Bayyinah

Surah Al-Qadr comes before surah al-Bayyinah according to the written copy of the Quran, al-Mushaf. Allah, Exalted be He, mentions that the Quran was revealed in the Night of Decree in surah Al-Qadr.

Surah Al-Bayyinah mentions the reason for which the Quran was revealed, namely, the Quran is the clear proof that has come to the disbelievers among the people of the Scripture and the polytheists.

The disbelievers among the people of Scripture and the polytheists have no excuse for their disbelief in Allah’s Oneness after Allah revealed the Quran that contains clear proofs confirming His Oneness and that He is the only God, Who deserves sincere worship.

Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah al-Bayyinah

• Surah Al-Bayyinah mentions the nature of the relationship of the People of the Scripture, namely, the Jews and Christians, and the polytheists with the message of Messenger Muhammad and their attitude towards it.

• Surah Al-Bayyinah mentions the fundamental goal of belief in Allah, namely, sincere worship of Allah. 98:5 And they were not commanded but to worship Allah, sincerely devoting the religion to Him, upright, and perform the prayer and give the zakat, and that is the religion of the uprightness.

• Surah Al-Bayyinah reprimands the People of the Scripture and the polytheists for their insistence on following the path of misguidance after the truth has become clear to them by sending Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] and revealing the Quran.

• This surah mentions the end of the disbelievers will be Hell in the Hereafter and that they are the worst of the creatures. It also mentions the end of the believers will be in Paradise in the Hereafter and that they are the best of the creatures.

Virtue of Surah al-Bayyinah

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Messenger Muhammad said to Ubayy bin Ka’b, ‘Allah has commanded me to recite to you the following surah: 98:1 Those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists would not leave off their way until the clear proof should come to them. Ubayy said, ‘Has Allah mentioned my name?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Yes.’ Thereupon, Ubbay wept [Sahih Al-Bukhari].