INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 8 verses, 94 sentences, 399 letters and 1 Ruku'.
The Sura is so designated after the word al-bayyinah occurring at the end of the first verse.
Where it was revealed, at Makkah or Madinah, is also disputed. Some commentators say it is a Makki revelation according to most scholars; others say it is a Madani revelation according to most scholars. Ibn Az Zubair and Ata bin Yasar hold the view that it is Madani. Ibn Abbas and Qatadah are reported to have held two views, first that it is Makki, second that it is Madani. Hadrat Aishah regards it as a Makki Surah. Abu Hayyan, author of Bahr al-Muhit, and Abdul Munim ibn al-Faras, author of Ahkam al-Quran, alsa have preferred to regard it as Makki. As for its contents, there is nothing in it to indicate whether it was revealed at Makkah or at Madinah.
Its having been placed after Surahs Al-Alaq and Al-Qadr in the arrangement of the Quran is very meaningful. Surah Al-Alaq contains the very first revelation, while Surah Al-Qadr shows as to when it was revealed, and in this Surah it has been explained why it was necessary to send a Messenger along with this Holy Book.
First of all the need of sending a Messenger has been explained, saying: The people of the world, be they from among the followers of the earlier scriptures or from among the idolaters, could not possibly be freed from their state of unbelief, until a Messenger was sent whose appearance by itself should be a clear proof of his apostleship, and he should present the Book of God before the people in its original, pristine form, which should be free from every mixture of falsehood corrupting the earlier Divine Books; and which should comprise sound teachings.
Then, about the errors of the followers of the earlier Books it has been said that the cause of their straying into different creeds was not that Allah had not provided any guidance to them, but they strayed only after a clear statement of the Right Creed had come to them. From this it automatically follows that they themselves were responsible for their error and deviation. Now, if even after the coming of the clear statement through this Messenger, they continued to stray, their responsibility would further increase.
In this very connection, it has been stated that 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 salat be established and the zakat be paid. This same has been the true religion since ever. From this also it automatically follows that the followers of the earlier scriptures, straying from this true religion, have added extraneous things to it, which are false, and Allah's this Messenger has come to invite them back to, the same original faith.
In conclusion, it has been pointed out clearly that the followers of the earlier Books and the idolaters who would refuse to acknowledge this Messenger are the worst of creatures: their punishment is an everlasting Hell; and the people who would believe and act righteously, and would spend life in the world in awe of God, are the best of creatures: their reward is eternal Paradise wherein they will live for ever. Allah became well pleased with them and they became well pleased with Allah.
Maududi
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
98 : 1
1. Lam yakuni allatheena kafaroo min ahli alkitabi waalmushrikeena munfakkeena hatta ta/tiyahumu albayyinatu
The disbelievers amongst the peoples of the Scriptures and the idolaters will not desist until there comes to them a clear proof -
98 : 2
2. Rasoolun mina Allahi yatloo suhufan mutahharatan
A messenger of Allah, reciting to them from the sanctified pages -
98 : 3
3. Feeha kutubun qayyimatun
Containing veritable Scriptures!
98 : 4
4. Wama tafarraqa allatheena ootoo alkitaba illa min baAAdi ma jaat-humu albayyinatu
Nor were the people of the Scriptures at odds with each other until after the clear proof came to them!
98 : 5
5. Wama omiroo illa liyaAAbudoo Allaha mukhliseena lahu alddeena hunafaa wayuqeemoo alssalata wayu/too alzzakata wathalika deenu alqayyimati
And they were bidden to do nothing but obey Allah and dedicate themselves to His religion and solely belong to it and perform worship and give to the deserving their due. That is the only true religion!
98 : 6
6. Inna allatheena kafaroo min ahli alkitabi waalmushrikeena fee nari jahannama khalideena feeha ola-ika hum sharru albariyyati
Verily those who disbelieve, be they people of the Scripture or mere idolaters, will abide in the fire of hell! They are the most deplorable in the entire creation!
98 : 7
7. Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati ola-ika hum khayru albariyyati
Whereas those who believe and perform righteous deeds, they verily are the most laudable in the entire creation!
98 : 8
8. Jazaohum AAinda rabbihim jannatu AAadnin tajree min tahtiha al-anharu khalideena feeha abadan radiya Allahu AAanhum waradoo AAanhu thalika liman khashiya rabbahu
Their reward is with their Lord : Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow wherein they will dwell forever! Allah is well pleased with them and they with Him. This is on offer to him who fears his Lord! (R)
1. Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and among Al-Mushrikûn,[] were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence.
2. A Messenger (Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) from Allâh, reciting (the Qur'ân) purified pages [purified from Al-Bâtil (falsehood, etc.)].
3. Containing correct and straight laws from Allâh.
4. And the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) differed not until after there came to them clear evidence. (i.e. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and whatever was revealed to him).
5. And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât: and that is the right religion.
6. Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikûn will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.[]
7. Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allâh, and in His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) including all obligations ordered by Islâm] and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of creatures.
8. Their reward with their Lord is 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow, they will abide therein forever, Allâh Well-Pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord.
098.001
YUSUFALI: Those who
reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, were not
going to depart (from their ways) until there should come to them Clear
Evidence,-
PICKTHAL: Those who
disbelieve among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters could not have
left off (erring) till the clear proof came unto them,
SHAKIR: Those who
disbelieved from among the followers of the Book and the polytheists could not
have separated (from the faithful) until there had come to them the clear
evidence:
098.002
YUSUFALI: An messenger
from Allah, rehearsing scriptures kept pure and holy:
PICKTHAL: A messenger
from Allah, reading purified pages
SHAKIR: An messenger
from Allah, reciting pure pages,
098.003
YUSUFALI: Wherein are
laws (or decrees) right and straight.
PICKTHAL: Containing
correct scriptures.
SHAKIR: Wherein are
all the right ordinances.
098.004
YUSUFALI: Nor did the
People of the Book make schisms, until after there came to them Clear Evidence.
PICKTHAL: Nor were the
People of the Scripture divided until after the clear proof came unto them.
SHAKIR: And those who
were given the Book did not become divided except after clear evidence had come
to them.
098.005
YUSUFALI: And they
have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere
devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practise
regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight.
PICKTHAL: And they are
ordered naught else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him, as men
by nature upright, and to establish worship and to pay the poor-due. That is
true religion.
SHAKIR: And they were
not enjoined anything except that they should serve Allah, being sincere to Him
in obedience, upright, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and that is the
right religion.
098.006
YUSUFALI: Those who
reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be
in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures.
PICKTHAL: Lo! those
who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, will abide
in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.
SHAKIR: Surely those
who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book and the polytheists shall be
in the fire of hell, abiding therein; they are the worst of men.
098.007
YUSUFALI: Those who
have faith and do righteous deeds,- they are the best of creatures.
PICKTHAL: (And) lo!
those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings.
SHAKIR: (As for) those
who believe and do good, surely they are the -best of men.
098.008
YUSUFALI: Their reward
is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell
therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for
such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.
PICKTHAL: Their reward
is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow, wherein they
dwell for ever. Allah hath pleasure in them and they have pleasure in Him. This
is (in store) for him who feareth his Lord.
SHAKIR: Their reward
with their Lord is gardens of perpetuity beneath which rivers flow, abiding
therein for ever; Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with
Him; that is for him who fears his Lord.