Intermediate
Makki Events
Surah: Al-Bayyinah (5)
"They Were Not Commanded Except to Worship Allah with Sincerity" — Religion with Allah Is Islam
وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ
— البيِّنة الآية 5
Verse: "They were not commanded except to worship Allah with sincere devotion as upright people." (98:5)
Occasion (Sahih): The surah was revealed as a whole regarding the People of the Book who thought they would believe in the Prophet when he came. When he was sent, they divided: some believed and some disbelieved. "Those who disbelieved among the People of the Book and polytheists would not have desisted" was revealed clarifying that proof had been established.
Lesson: Sincerity and monotheism are the essence of religion in all revealed laws — not rituals and affiliations alone.
Occasion (Sahih): The surah was revealed as a whole regarding the People of the Book who thought they would believe in the Prophet when he came. When he was sent, they divided: some believed and some disbelieved. "Those who disbelieved among the People of the Book and polytheists would not have desisted" was revealed clarifying that proof had been established.
Lesson: Sincerity and monotheism are the essence of religion in all revealed laws — not rituals and affiliations alone.
Source: Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi; Lubab Al-Nuqul
Test Yourself
What were the circumstances of Surah Al-Bayyinah's revelation and what was the People of the Book's position?
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