098- AL-BAYYINAH
THE CLEAR PROOF
Many commentators take al-Bayyinah to be a Madinan sūrah, although others claim that it is more widely known as a Makkan sūrah. It takes its name from the mention of the clear proof (al-bayyinah) in the first verse, a word used throughout the Quran as a reference to the content and function of revelation. This sūrah is also known by the first two words, lam yakun, “They Will Not” (when standing alone), and as al-Qiyāmah, “The Resurrection,” among other titles.
Bayyinah derives from the verb bayyana, meaning “to make or to become clear, evident, manifest, plain, or apparent,” as in 2:219: Thus does God make clear unto you the signs, that haply you may reflect (cf. 2:266); and 3:118: We have indeed made clear the signs for you, were you to understand (cf. 2:187, 242; 3:103; 4:176; 5:89; 24:58–59, 61). Both the Prophet Muhammad (16:64) and Jesus (43:63) are described as “making clear.” And in 2:159–60 those who “make clear” are distinguished from those who conceal what has been revealed to them.
In the Quran, clarity and exposition of truths are attributes of God’s revelations and the teachings of God’s prophets. To follow a clear proof is to follow the way of truth, as in 47:14: Is one who stands upon a clear proof from his Lord like one whose evil deeds are made to seem fair unto him, and like those who follow their caprices? In this way, all revelation is presented as a clear proof. As 57:25 states: We have indeed sent Our messengers with clear proofs (cf. 5:32). Other verses present Moses (2:87, 92; 7:105), Jesus (2:87, 253; 5:110; 43:63; 61:6), and other prophets as having come with clear proofs. Here, as in most instances, clear proof is employed to demonstrate the stark contrast between those who follow a clear proof and those who do not.
The sūrah begins with an assertion that those who disbelieve will continue to oppose the Prophet until a clear proof comes to them (vv. 1–5), and the last three verses (vv. 6–8) contrast the fate of the disbelievers with that of the believers.
(source: “The Study Quran” a new translation and commentary by Seyyed Hossein Nasr)
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