لَمْ يَكُنِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ مُنفَكِّينَ حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَةُ 1
Translations
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
Transliteration
Lam yakun alladhina kafaroo min ahli alkitabi walmushrikina munfakkin hatta ta'tiyhimu albayyinah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that the disbelievers among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and the polytheists were not going to abandon their false beliefs until clear evidence came to them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, 'al-bayyinah' (the clear proof) refers to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Quran, which constitutes undeniable evidence of Allah's truth. The ayah emphasizes that without this divine proof, these groups remained steadfast in their disbelief, highlighting the necessity of prophetic revelation to guide humanity.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Bayyinah is a Medinan surah that addresses the religious landscape of Medina during the Prophet's time, where Jews, Christians, and polytheists coexisted. The surah's context relates to clarifying why these communities rejected the Prophet despite having previous scriptures and knowledge, and it serves as a response to their persistent denial even after the clear proofs were presented to them.
Related Hadiths
The surah's theme connects to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'I have been sent with the sword before the Hour so that Allah alone is worshipped with no partners,' emphasizing that the clear proof (bayyinah) requires acceptance and response. Additionally, Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:4-5 is referenced in hadiths about the nature of believers' obedience.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that clear divine guidance has been provided through the Quran and Sunnah, and those who reject it do so without excuse. It serves as both a warning against willful ignorance and an encouragement that truth is evident for those who sincerely seek it, placing responsibility on humanity to recognize and accept Allah's clear proofs.