Surah Al-Bayyinah is one of the greatest surahs in the Quran, known for its profound and detailed content that addresses important issues related to faith, division, and guidance. This surah is considered a valuable source that directs Muslims towards a better understanding of Islam and achieving closeness to Allah.
It carries within it the magnitude of the prophetic message and the divine instructions that nurture faith and guide towards the truth that must be followed. In this article, we will delve into Tafsir of Surah Al-Bayyinah, its notable virtues, and the lessons derived from it.
History and reasons for the revelation of Surah Al-Bayyinah
Surah Al-Bayyinah is the 98th surah in the Quran and was revealed in Al-Madinah, making it a Madinan surah. According to the explanations found in tafsir (interpretation) books,
the reason for the revelation of Surah Al-Bayyinah was that the Jews and Christians were in a state of profound darkness due to their ignorance of what they should have believed in and followed from the laws of their prophets, except for those whom Allah protected from deviating.
This darkness and ignorance were a result of what their forefathers had done in altering and changing the divine laws. They introduced elements that were not part of the true teachings either due to their misunderstanding of what was revealed to their prophets or because they embraced innovations, thinking that they supported the religion.
However, those innovations were destructive to its foundations. They also aimed to confuse their opponents and gain victory over them. This continued throughout the ages, and with each generation, the situation worsened, with darkness and ignorance increasing and the signs and lights of certainty fading away.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah At-Takathur
Virtues of Surah Al-Bayyinah
Surah Al-Bayyinah possesses numerous virtues, including the following:
- It instills in the heart of a Muslim feelings of trust and honor towards the Prophet and a keenness to follow his path.
- It encourages Muslims to take the Prophet as a good example in their lives, as he is the best role model for a Muslim.
- It motivates seeking the pleasure of Allah and striving for success in both the worldly life and the hereafter.
- It highlights the importance of humility towards those who have less knowledge.
- The Prophet recited the surah to Ubay ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) to teach people the virtue of humility.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah At-Takathur
Lessons learned from Surah Al-Bayyinah
- A Muslim should be proud that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the clear argument.
- Taking the Prophet as an example in calling and reaching Allah Almighty.
- The Muslim realizes that the spread of corruption on earth requires a new calling, a preacher with knowledge.
- The Muslim realizes that deviating from the right path is not only ignorance. Rather, it is the result of being tempted by the knowledge.
- The need for a Muslim to be interested in being in the category of the best of the wilderness.
- Knowing that the basic rule of the Islamic religion is the devotion of religion to Allah Almighty.
- A Muslim must be humble to those who are inferior to him, and follow the example of the Prophet.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Al-A’la
Tafsir of Surah Al-Bayyinah
Those who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists were not to be parted [from misbelief] until there came to them clear evidence –
A Messenger from Allah, reciting purified scriptures
Within which are correct writings.
Nor did those who were given the Scripture become divided until after there had come to them clear evidence.
And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.
Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.
Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds – those are the best of creatures.
Their reward with Allah will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them and they with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord.
لَمۡ يَكُنِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ مُنفَكِّينَ حَتَّىٰ تَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَةُ (1) رَسُولٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ يَتۡلُواْ صُحُفٗا مُّطَهَّرَةٗ (2) فِيهَا كُتُبٞ قَيِّمَةٞ (3) وَمَا تَفَرَّقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَتۡهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَةُ (4) وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ حُنَفَآءَ وَيُقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤۡتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَۚ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمَةِ (5) إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمۡ شَرُّ ٱلۡبَرِيَّةِ (6) إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمۡ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡبَرِيَّةِ (7) جَزَآؤُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ جَنَّٰتُ عَدۡنٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدٗاۖ رَّضِيَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنۡ خَشِيَ رَبَّهُۥ (8)
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Al-Fatiha
Verse 1:
The disbelievers among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists were not going to leave their disbelief until the Messenger, Muhammad peace be upon him, came to them with clear proof. Until there comes to them the clear evidence: i.e. the Qur’an.
Verse 2:
A Messenger from Allah: i.e. Muhammad peace be upon him. Reciting purified scriptures: i.e. the Quran which is the Book of Allah revealed to Muhammad peace be upon him.
Verse 3:
Wherein are laws straight: i.e. in it are the clear verses of Allah which do not accept interpretation.
Verse 4:
And the People of the Scripture did not differ except after clear proof had come to them: i.e. the People of the Scripture did not diverge from one another except after the Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him came to them with clear proof, so they divided into supporters of him and opponents of him.
Verse 5:
And they were not commanded except that they should worship Allah, making the religion sincerely for Him as people of pure faith: i.e. Allah only commanded the People of the Scripture to worship Him alone and purify the religion for Him, and follow the religion of Abraham peace be upon him who was Hanif, i.e. sincere in worshipping Allah alone; and establish prayer and give zakah. And that is the upright religion.
Verse 6:
Indeed, those who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. It is they who are the worst of creatures.
Verse 7:
Indeed, those who believed and did righteous deeds – it is those who are the best of creatures.
Verse 8:
Their reward with their Lord will be the gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. Allah has been pleased with them and they have been pleased with Him. That is for whoever fears his Lord.
You can also see: Surah Al-Nasr
In conclusion, we must realize that Surah Al-Bayyinah carries with it many valuable lessons and lessons, as it reminds us of the importance of righteousness on the truth and avoiding falsehood, and invites us to reflect on the signs of Allah and reflect on them. The surah also teaches us that true faith requires good work and dedication to obedience to Allah.
Wahion Youha Academy is one of the leading academies in memorizing the Holy Qur’an, interpreting and contemplating its verses, as it offers several courses that explain the significance of Qur’anic sciences and review Islamic history in an easy-to-understand manner.