Surah al Bayyinah starts off with
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
لَمْ يَكُنِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ مُنفَكِّينَ حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَةُ
Lam yakunil ladhīna kafarū min ahlil kitābi wal mushrikīna munfakkīna ḥattā taʾtiyahumul bayyinah
Those who disbelieved from among the People of the Book and the polytheists were not going to abandon their ways until clear evidence came to them.
The chapter begins by describing two groups:
These groups were deeply attached to their beliefs and claimed:
‘We will not leave our religion until clear proof and a definitive messenger come to us.’
They insisted they would only change if they received a bayyinah (بَيِّنَة) – an undeniable proof, something so clear and convincing that it left no room for doubt.
Yet, when the bayyinah came, they contradicted their own claims and rejected the clear evidence—some even waging war against it. Only a minority embraced faith.
So, what exactly was this clear evidence? The next verse explains…
رَسُولٌ مِّنَ الَلهِ يَتْلُو صُحُفًا مُّطَهَّرَةً
Rasūlum minal-lāhi yatlū ṣuḥufam muṭahharah
A Messenger from Allah, reciting pure scriptures.
The clear evidence refers to the Prophet Muhammad (s), sent by Allah (swt).
Suhuf (صُحُف) refers to written scriptures, specifically the Qurān in this verse, and Mutahharah (مُطَهَّرَة) signifies that these scriptures are free from falsehood, lies, and distortions.
The Qurān, revealed to the Prophet (s), contains pure and perfect teachings meant to guide people towards the truth and righteous living.
The next verse says:
فِيهَا كُتُبٌ قَيِّمَةٌ
Fīhā kutubun Qayyimah
Within which are firm writings.
The term kutub (كُتُب), the plural of kitāb (كتاب), refers to ‘things that are written’. There are different usages for the term.
The term qayyimah (قَيِّمَة) emphasises the straight, firm, and valuable nature of these scriptures.
Therefore, Allah (swt) is explaining that the clear evidence is a Messenger from Him, who recites purified scriptures. Within these scriptures are divine writings and teachings that safeguard and elevate human society.
وَمَا تَفَرَّقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَةُ
Wamā tafarraqal ladhīna ūtul kitāba illā min baʿdi mā jā-at-humul bayyinah
And those who were given the Book did not divide, except after the proof had come to them.
When the truth was presented, instead of uniting around it, these people began to disagree and argue within their own religions. These disagreements arose because some accepted the message of Islam, while others rejected it, causing division and conflict even among themselves.
وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا الَلهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ
Wamā umirū illā liyaʿbudul-lāha mukhliṣīna lahud dīna ḥunafā a wayuqīmuṣ ṣalāta wayuʾtuz zakāta wa dhālika dīnul Qayyimah
Yet they were not commanded except to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true in faith, and to establish the prayer and pay the poor-rate. For that is the true religion.
These divisions were unnecessary because the command of Allah (swt) has always been simple and clear: worship Him alone with sincerity and perform good deeds—the same core teachings that were present in previous scriptures. It calls them to purify their faith, worship Allah (swt) alone, and follow the original, pure teachings of religion.
Some scholars have pointed out that while many of these individuals did worship Allah (swt), prayed, and gave charity, they often lacked sincerity in these acts. Although the people claimed to worship Allah (swt), their acts were frequently mixed with innovations, distortions, and misguided practices, stripping them of true sincerity.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ شَرُّ الْبَرِيَّةِ
Innal ladhīna kafarū min ahlil kitābi wal mushrikīna fī nāri jahannama khālidīna fīhā ulāika hum sharrul bariyyah
Indeed, those who disbelieve from the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the Fire of Hell, to stay there forever. They are the worst of all creatures.
These disbelievers were awaiting clear proof from Allah (swt). However, when the evident proof came to them, they became divided and strayed, each following their own path of deviation.
The phrase sharrul bariyyah (the worst of all creatures) signifies that these people are the most rejected and condemned.
Why are they described in such harsh terms?
Because, despite clear guidance, they chose arrogance and stubbornness, deliberately opposing the truth. Their intentional rejection of the truth results in eternal punishment in Hellfire.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ
Innal ladhīna āmanū waʿamilūṣ ṣāliḥāti ulāika hum khayrul bariyyah
Indeed those who have faith and do righteous deeds —it is they who are the best of creatures.
The verse emphasises that faith and good deeds must go hand in hand—you can’t have true faith without good deeds, and good deeds without faith are incomplete.
Unlike the disbelievers, those who believe and do good are described as the best of all creatures, even better than the angels. These believers are the ones who accept the truth without hesitation when clear evidence is presented to them.
It’s worth noting that certain narrations interpret khayrul bariyyah (خَيْرُ ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ) as a reference to Imam Ali (as) and his followers, acknowledging them as the best of all creatures.
جَزَاؤُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا
Jazā uhum ʿinda rabbihim jannātu ʿadnin tajrī min taḥtihal anhāru khālidīna fīhā abadā
Their reward with their Lord will be Gardens of Eternity through which rivers flow, where they will dwell forever.
رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِيَ رَبَّهُ
raḍiyal lāhu ʿanhum waraḍū ʿanhu dhālika liman khashiya rabbah
Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is for those who stand in awe of their Lord.
The word khashyah (خشية) refers to a fear that comes from knowledge. It’s when you understand the greatness and importance of something, which leads to deep respect.
Imagine owning a 2,000-year-old ornament. Knowing its value and how fragile it is, you fear it might break. This fear stems from understanding its importance, which makes you treat it with care and respect. In the same way, the more someone learns about Allah (swt), the more they realise His greatness, leading to true fear and deep respect for Him.
This verse highlights the reward for ‘the best of creatures’—the believers who have faith, do good deeds, and have khashyah of Allah (swt). Their reward is eternal happiness in Paradise.
Summary
Surah al-Bayyinah explains that Allah sent a clear proof—a Messenger with guidance and the Qurān. This proof was meant to unite people in worshipping Allah alone. However, some people accepted the truth, while others rejected it and went astray.
Those who disbelieved and turned away from the truth are called the worst of creatures and will face punishment in Hell. On the other hand, those who believe, do good deeds, and have a deep respect and love for Allah are called the best of creatures. Their reward is eternal happiness in Paradise.
The Sūrah teaches us to follow the truth when it comes to us and to stay sincere in worshipping Allah and doing good.
One of the wisdoms behind Imam Ali (as) and his followers being described as khayrul bariyyah is that it highlights the importance of following a leader who upholds truth, justice, and devotion to Allah. Imam Ali lived a life of faith and good deeds, showing us how to be true believers. His followers, by living according to his example, prove their faith through their actions.
This encourages us to choose righteous role models, stay committed to the truth, and strive for Allah’s eternal reward in Paradise.