Soorah Al-Baiyinah (The Clear Evidence)


In the Name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
1.  Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and among Al-Mushrikoon, [1] were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence.
2.  A Messenger (Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) from Allaah, reciting (the Qur'aan) purified pages [purified from Al-Baatil (falsehood, etc.)].
3.  Containing correct and straight laws from Allaah.
4.  And the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) differed not until after there came to them clear evidence. (i.e. Prophet Muhammad (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and whatever was revealed to him).
5.  And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allaah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salaat (Iqaamat-as-Salaat) and give Zakaat, and that is the right religion.
6.  Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islaam, the Qur'aan and Prophet Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikoon will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures. [1]
7.  Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allaah, and in His Messenger Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) including all obligations ordered by Islaam] 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, Allaah Well-Pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord.
 

Footnotes
[1] (98):1 Al-Mushrikoon: polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam).
 
[2] (98):6 It is obligatory to have belief in the Messengership of the Prophet (Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam).

Narrated Aboo Hurairah (radi-Allaahu 'anhu):
Allaah's Messenger (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: "By Him (Allaah) in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, there is none from amongst the Jews and Christians (of these present nations) who hears about me then dies without believing in the Message with which I have been sent (i.e. Islaamic Monotheism) but he will be from the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire." [Saheeh Muslim, The Book of Faith, Vol. 1, Chapter 20 No. 240]
See also (3):85 and (3):116.
 

Soorah 97 The Noble Qur'aan Soorah 99