0% studied · Top
Surah 98 · Madinah · 8 āyāt
Phase 05 · Hijrah and the building of Madinah(1–5 AH) — view in timelineAl-BayyinahThe Clear Proof
البينة
A short Madinan surah opening on those among the People of the Book and the polytheists who would not be parted from disbelief until clear proof came to them — a Messenger reciting purified scriptures containing correct writings. It states plainly that all previous scriptures agreed on the same core: sincere worship of Allah alone, prayer and zakāh. It then draws the line sharply between the worst and best of creation, closing on gardens of eternity for those who feared their Lord.
Why it was revealed
The surah addresses the recurring argument among Jews, Christians and Makkan polytheists that they were each awaiting further confirmation before accepting the message; it answers that a clear proof — a Messenger reciting purified scriptures — had now come, removing every excuse for continued division.
Drawn fromṢaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4959; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 799; Ibn Kathīr on 98:6–7
Anas ibn Mālik reported that the Prophet ﷺ said to Ubayy ibn Kaʿb, 'Allah has commanded me to recite to you.' Ubayy asked, 'Did He name me to you?' The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Yes.' Ubayy wept, and the Prophet ﷺ recited to him 'Lam yakun alladhīna kafarū' (Sūrat al-Bayyinah) in full.
Cited toṢaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4959; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 799
In the Prophet's ﷺ life
The Prophet ﷺ recites the surah to Ubayy ibn Kaʿb
Informed by revelation that Allah had commanded him to recite this surah specifically to Ubayy, the Prophet ﷺ did so, and Ubayy wept upon hearing that he had been named.
Recalled in āyah 1, 8
لَمْ يَكُنِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ مُنفَكِّينَ حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَةُ
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
جَزَآؤُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۖ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِىَ رَبَّهُۥ
Their reward with their Lord will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allāh being pleased with them and they with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord.
Cited toṢaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4959; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 799
- Madd — 2 vowels
- Madd — 2, 4 or 6 vowels
- Madd — 6 vowels (lāzim)
- Madd — 4 or 5 vowels (wājib)
- Ghunnah — 2 vowels
- Qalqalah
- Ikhfāʾ
- Ikhfāʾ shafawī
- Idghām shafawī
- Idghām with ghunnah
- Idghām without ghunnah
- Idghām mutajānisayn
- Idghām mutaqāribayn
- Iqlāb
- Hamzat al-waṣl
- Lām shamsiyyah
- Silent letter
Tajwīd markup and colour convention: Quran.com API (v4) — text_uthmani_tajweed. Recitation audio: Quran.com / Quran Foundation Audio API (v4).
The clear proof that removes every excuse
Those who disbelieved among the People of the Book and the polytheists were not to be parted from misbelief until the clear proof came to them: a Messenger from Allāh reciting purified scriptures, containing within them correct, established writings.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 98:2–3; Ibn Kathīr on 98:1
لَمْ يَكُنِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ مُنفَكِّينَ حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَةُ
Tajwīd markup unavailable for this āyah — text shown uncoloured
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
رَسُولٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ يَتْلُوا۟ صُحُفًا مُّطَهَّرَةً
Tajwīd markup unavailable for this āyah — text shown uncoloured
A Messenger from Allāh, reciting purified scriptures
فِيهَا كُتُبٌ قَيِّمَةٌ
Tajwīd markup unavailable for this āyah — text shown uncoloured
Within which are correct writings [i.e., rulings and laws].
From the tafsīr
Before the Messenger's coming, both groups claimed they were waiting for confirmation; his arrival with a purified recitation removed the excuse for further delay or division.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 98:1
'Purified scriptures' (ṣuḥufan muṭahharah) refers to the Qur'an being free of falsehood, contradiction and human corruption, unlike what earlier communities had altered in their own books.
Cited toAl-Saʿdī on 98:2–3
Key takeaways
- A clear proof, once it arrives, removes every claim of waiting for more evidence.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 98:2–3; Ibn Kathīr on 98:1
- The Qur'an is described as purified — free of the corruption that had entered earlier scripture.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 98:2–3; Ibn Kathīr on 98:1
- Division persists only until people are honest about the proof already before them.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 98:2–3; Ibn Kathīr on 98:1
Reflect
What proof have you already received that you are still treating as insufficient?
Saved on this device · included in your printable study sheet
Check yourself
0 / 2 correctAnswer from memory before scrolling back — retrieval is what makes it stick.
Questions and options are reshuffled and reworded each attempt
Question 1 of 2
How does al-Saʿdī explain 'purified scriptures' in 98:2?
Question 2 of 2
What, according to 98:1–2, was the clear proof that came to disbelieving People of the Book and polytheists?
The pure religion in one sentence
Those who received the Scripture became divided only after clear proof had come to them. Yet they were commanded nothing except to worship Allāh, sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, to establish prayer and give zakāh — and that is the correct, straight religion.
Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 98:5; Ibn Kathīr on 98:5
وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ حُنَفَآءَ وَيُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ ٱلْقَيِّمَةِ
Tajwīd markup unavailable for this āyah — text shown uncoloured
And they were not commanded except to worship Allāh, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakāh. And that is the correct religion.
From the tafsīr
This āyah is cited as summarising the essence of every revealed law: sincerity in worship (ikhlāṣ), and the two pillars of prayer and zakāh representing duties to Allah and duties to people.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 98:5
'Ḥunafāʾ', inclining to truth, describes the natural disposition away from every deviation, showing that sincere monotheism is the default religion rather than an imposed innovation.
Cited toAl-Qurṭubī on 98:5
Key takeaways
- Sincerity, prayer and zakāh together define 'the correct religion' in a single verse.
Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 98:5; Ibn Kathīr on 98:5
- Division among the People of the Book came after clear knowledge, not from ignorance.
Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 98:5; Ibn Kathīr on 98:5
- Turning to truth (ḥanīfiyyah) is described as the natural, upright disposition, not a foreign imposition.
Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 98:5; Ibn Kathīr on 98:5
Reflect
Is your worship marked by sincerity, or is it shaped by wanting to be seen?
Saved on this device · included in your printable study sheet
Check yourself
0 / 2 correctAnswer from memory before scrolling back — retrieval is what makes it stick.
Questions and options are reshuffled and reworded each attempt
Question 1 of 2
According to Ibn Kathīr, what does 98:5 summarise?
Question 2 of 2
What does 'ḥunafāʾ' describe, per al-Qurṭubī?
The best and worst of creation
Those who disbelieved among the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding therein; they are the worst of creatures. Those who believed and did righteous deeds are the best of creatures. Their reward with their Lord is gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, abiding forever, Allāh pleased with them and they with Him — that is for whoever feared his Lord.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 98:8; Ibn Kathīr on 98:7
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ
Tajwīd markup unavailable for this āyah — text shown uncoloured
Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds - those are the best of creatures.
جَزَآؤُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۖ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِىَ رَبَّهُۥ
Tajwīd markup unavailable for this āyah — text shown uncoloured
Their reward with their Lord will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allāh being pleased with them and they with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord.
From the tafsīr
'Khayru l-bariyyah', the best of creatures, is applied here to believers who combine belief with righteous action, showing that faith without deed does not earn the description.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 98:7
Allah's pleasure named alongside the believers' own pleasure — mutual contentment — is described as a reward greater even than the gardens themselves.
Cited toAl-Saʿdī on 98:8
Key takeaways
- Belief and righteous deeds together, not belief alone, earn the title 'best of creation'.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 98:8; Ibn Kathīr on 98:7
- The surah's final standard for everyone, regardless of prior scripture, is fear of one's Lord.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 98:8; Ibn Kathīr on 98:7
- Mutual pleasure between Allah and the believer is presented as the surah's highest note.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 98:8; Ibn Kathīr on 98:7
Reflect
Which is more present in your worship: the deeds, or the sincerity and fear that should accompany them?
Saved on this device · included in your printable study sheet
Check yourself
0 / 2 correctAnswer from memory before scrolling back — retrieval is what makes it stick.
Questions and options are reshuffled and reworded each attempt
Question 1 of 2
What does al-Saʿdī highlight as significant in 98:8's description of the reward?
Question 2 of 2
Who does Ibn Kathīr say earns the title 'best of creatures' in 98:7?
Upload your handwritten notes
Photograph or scan the pages you wrote in class — several at once. Each page is transcribed, translated into English if you wrote in Arabic or Urdu, matched to the theme it belongs to, and added to your notes for this surah.
Up to 3 pages at a time · JPG, PNG or HEIC
10 of 10 free AI pages left today
Roots from this surah
Learn the three-letter root and you unlock every word built from it — across the whole Qur'an, not just this surah.
ب ي ن
āyāt 1to be clear, evident
- ٱلْبَيِّنَةُthe clear proof
- بَيَانclarification
- مُبِينmanifest
ط ه ر
āyāt 2to be pure
- مُّطَهَّرَةًpurified
- طَهَارَةpurity
- طَاهِرpure
خ ل ص
āyāt 5to be sincere, pure
- مُخْلِصِينَsincere
- إِخْلَاصsincerity
- خَالِصpure, unmixed
ح ن ف
āyāt 5to incline (to truth)
- حُنَفَآءَinclining to truth
- حَنِيفupright monotheist
- حَنِيفِيَّةthe pure monotheistic way
ب ر أ
āyāt 6, 7to create
- ٱلْبَرِيَّةِcreatures/creation
- بَارِئthe Creator
- بَرِيَّةcreation
ر ض ي
āyāt 8to be pleased
- رَّضِىَHe was pleased
- رَضُوا۟they were pleased
- رِضْوَانgood pleasure
Carry this with you
- A clear proof, once it arrives, ends every excuse for delay or division.
- The Qur'an is described as purified scripture, free of the corruption that entered earlier books.
- Sincerity in worship, prayer and zakāh together define the correct, straight religion.
- Division among prior communities came after knowledge, not from ignorance.
- Belief and righteous deeds together, not belief alone, earn the description 'best of creation'.
- Mutual pleasure between Allah and the believer is presented as the highest reward of all.
- The final standard for every person is fear of their Lord.
Where this surah connects
Cross-surah threads
Parts of the Qurʾān explain other parts. Each thread below opens the same subject as it is argued across every other surah you have studied, in revelation order.
All threads →Sources behind Sūrah Al-Bayyinah
Every line of context, tafsīr and takeaway on this page traces back to one of these references. Ḥadīth numbers open on sunnah.com and āyah references open on quran.com, so you can check the claim rather than take it on trust. The Arabic text itself is fetched live from a verified public corpus.
Full exam — the whole surah, from memory
Every question from every theme, interleaved and reworded. Interleaving is what turns recognition into recall. Each answer updates your review schedule, your mistakes list and your mastery score for that theme.
Al-Bayyinah — full exam
1 / 6 · 0 correct
6 questions across 3 themes.
Al-Bayyinah · The pure religion in one sentence
What does 'ḥunafāʾ' describe, per al-Qurṭubī?
Arabic (Uthmānī script) and the Ṣaḥīḥ International translation are fetched live from the Quran.com API (v4), sourced from the King Fahd Complex muṣḥaf — api.quran.com API docs · Translation: Ṣaḥīḥ International · Integrity & testing protocol