Surat Al-Bayyinah (The Clear Proof)
- filter_vintage
Ibn ' Abbâs and Qatadah are reported to have expressed two views, first that it is Makki Sürah, second that it is Madani Sürah. As for its contents, there is nothing in it to indicate whether it was revealed at Makkah or at Madinah,Major Issues, Divine Laws and Guidance:• The People of the Book (Jews and Christians) did not divide into sects until after receiving guidance.• The People of the Book were also commanded to establish Salah (Prayer) and pay Zakah (Obligatory Charity) as it is commanded in the Qur'an.In this Surah, the need of sending a Rasool is explained, then errors of the followers of earlier Books are pointed out. The cause of their straying into different creeds was not that Allah had not provided any guidance to them, but that they strayed after a clear statement of the True religion had come to them. From this, it automatically follows that they themselves were responsible for their error and deviation. If after the coming of the clear statement through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) they continued to stray, their responsibility would further increase.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 Salah (prayer) be established and the Zakah (obligatory charity) be paid. This has always been a part of the true religion and the followers of the earlier scriptures, straying from this true religion, have added extraneous things to it, which are false, and Allah's Rasool has come to invite them back to the same original faith.In conclusion, it is pointed out that the followers of the earlier Books and the idol worshippers who would refuse to acknowledge this Message are the worst of all creatures. Their punishment will be an everlasting hell; and the people who would believe and act righteously, are the best of all creatures. Their reward will be an eternal paradise, wherein they will live forever. Allah will be well pleased with them and they will be well pleased with Allah.
- filter_vintageNote: Please note that, we have used PDF OCR technology to scan and convert text from scanned docuement. Expect few broken words in this section. We are trying our level best to fix these errors Insha Allah. If you want to volunteer in this task, please contact us at engage @ kdakw.com.
This surah summarizes the history of the world. During the sixth century ac, western Asia and north Africa were domina- ted by the Christian Roman empire, while the rest of the world as far as China and India was inhabited by pagans and followers of polytheist religions.By the end of the seventh century and the advent of Islam, the world map was completely transformed, with the whole of Arabia, north Africa, the Nile valley, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia coming under the umbrella of Islam.Genuine Christians welcomed Islam and many of them volun- tarily and willingly embraced it and understood Muhammad’s mission as a fulfillment of their own scriptures. Elsewhere in the Qur’an, we read:Those who were endowed with knowledge before its [the Qur’an’s] revelation prostrate themselves when it is recited to them and say, “Glorious is our Lord. Our Lord’s promise has been fulfilled.” They fall down upon their faces, weeping, and it makes them ever so humble. (al-Isr¥’: 107–109)In another surah we read:Those to whom the scriptures were given rejoice in what is revea- led to you, while some deny parts of it. Say, “I am commanded to serve God and associate none with Him. To Him I call people, and to Him I shall return.” (al-Ra¢d: 36)A Thematic Commentary on the Qur’anIn yet another surah we read:Thus We have revealed the Book to you [Muhammad]. Those to whom We have given the scriptures believe in it, and some of these [the Arabs] also believe it. (al-¢Ankab‰t: 47)It is a historic fact that Islam spread especially widely among those people who had been Christian, and that the arrest of its progress was due to internal reasons which it is not appropriate to discuss here. In addition to the Christians, many Magians, Buddhists and pagans also embraced Islam.How did this come about? The answer lies in the power and charisma of the Qur’an. The surah says:The unbelievers among the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] and the pagans would not abandon unbelief until a clear proof was given them: a Messenger [Muhammad] from God recit- ing purified text wherein there are veritable principles. (1–3)The timeless principles and codes expounded in the Qur’an contin- ue to be relevant and applicable to all human situations, if they are genuinely and seriously asserted and upheld. However, human nature is such that some people do recognize the truth but would rather act according to their whims and desires.Among the earlier communities who had received revelation, some people chose to ignore its teachings or tamper with them, some had even dared to kill the messengers who delivered that reve- lation to them and persecute those who rose to teach and enlighten them. The surah records these actions thus:The people of the Book had only come to disagree among them- selves when the veritable proof had come to them. They were enjoi- ned to serve God with devotion, and to worship none but Him, to observe the prayers and give alms. That is the true faith. (4–5)surah 98 • Al-BayyinahKnowledge, it seems, is no guarantee of righteousness; intellec- tual error or ignorance of the truth may be forgiven and can be rectified, but the deliberate promotion of evil and corruption of the soul are unpardonable.The surah makes it clear that the fate of such greedy, selfish, and corrupt people who abuse religion is doomed:Those of the People of the Book and the pagans who disbelieve shall burn forever in the fire of hell. They are the vilest of all crea- tures. (6)God’s justice towards humans is assured, and were He to with- hold His grace and benevolence from anyone, they would have no hope of redemption. But God is Forgiving and Magnanimous and His door is always open to those who choose not to forfeit their future and their salvation.The surah closes with a poignant reassurance for the conscien- tious believers who are ever vigilant and take heed of God’s teachings. It says:Those who believe and do good works are the noblest of creatures. Their rewards awaiting them with their Lord shall be gardens through which rivers flow, where they shall dwell forever. God is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him. Thus shall the conscientious be rewarded. (7–8)Early Muslims who carried Islam to the world were impeccable models for the spirit of the Qur’an, and wherever they went, with them went justice, tolerance, and humanity. The weak, the deprived, and the oppressed of the world found a real savior in Islam, which has protected their dignity and self-respect.