Surah # 98 - Al Bayyinah

 (Arabic: سورة البينة‎) (The Clear Proof, Evidence)

This is the 98th surah of the Qur'an with 8 Aayaat.

                THEME AND SUBJECT MATTER 

 Its having been placed after Surah Al-'Alaq and Al-Qadr in the arrangement of the Qur'an 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 Book (Qur'an).

 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 Allah 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.

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 salaat be established and the zakaat be paid.

 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 Allah, 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.