SURAH 98 — Al-Bayyinah — البينة — “The Clear Evidence”

• Revelation Order: 100
• Event Anchor: Medinan interfaith discourse with Jews and Christians (c. 628–631 CE)

Explanation:
Al-Bayyinah addresses theological differences between Muslims, Jews, and Christians, making it firmly Medinan. This corresponds to the period when delegations from various religious groups visited Medina, and the Muslim polity was engaging with established communities of scripture. The surah defines “the clear evidence” as the Prophet and the purified scripture he brings, outlining the separation between those who accepted the message and those who persisted in division. Its tone fits the late Medinan push for doctrinal clarity and communal identity at a time of increasing religious diplomacy.

Verse	Verse #	Meccan v Medinan	General Index
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 –	1	Medinan	6131
A Messenger from Allah, reciting purified scriptures	2	Medinan	6132
Within which are correct writings.	3	Medinan	6133
Nor did those who were given the Scripture become divided until after there had come to them clear evidence.	4	Medinan	6134
And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.	5	Medinan	6135
Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.	6	Medinan	6136
Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds – those are the best of creatures.	7	Medinan	6137
Their reward with Allah will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them and they with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord.	8	Medinan	6138