About Surah Al-Bayyinah

An eternal division between the best and worst of creation forms the axis of this brief Madinan text. Also known as Al-Infikāk (The Splitting), the eight verses confront a glaring contradiction from the years following the Hijrah. The People of the Book possessed prophecies of a final messenger, yet when the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived bearing the exact proof they anticipated, they refused him.

The surah opens by rebuking them and the polytheists for their denial. It then turns to elevate the Quran, praising it for containing the pure truth of all prior scriptures. Moving forward, the text distills the upright religion to its core: a return to the sincere, uncorrupted Monotheism commanded by every previous divine book.

From this definition of true worship, an immovable boundary separates humanity. Those who persist in rejection are marked as the lowest of creation, while those who match faith with righteous deeds are elevated above all else. For these believers, the promise stands absolute: eternal bliss in the Gardens of Eden and the enduring pleasure of Allah.

Surah Al-Bayyinah (The Clear Proof) — 8 verses

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

98:1

Those who disbelieve among the People of the Book and the idolaters were not about to change their ways until they were sent clear evidence,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

98:2

a messenger from God, reading out pages [blessed with] purity,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

98:3

containing true scriptures.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

98:4

[Yet] those who were given the Scripture became divided only after they were sent [such] clear evi-dence

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

98:5

though all they are ordered to do is worship God alone, sincerely devoting their religion to Him as people of true faith, keep up the prayer, and pay the prescribed alms, for that is the true religion.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

98:6

Those who disbelieve among the People of the Book and the idolaters will have the Fire of Hell, there to remain. They are the worst of creation.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

98:7

Those who believe and do good deeds are the best of creation.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

98:8

Their reward with their Lord is everlasting Gardens graced with flowing streams, where they will stay forever. God is well pleased with them and they with Him. All this is for those who stand in awe of their Lord.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

End of Al-Bayyinah

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Surah Al-Bayyinah (The Clear Proof) — 8 verses

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