"They Were Not Commanded Except to Worship Allah with Sincerity" — Religion with Allah Is Islam
asbab
Level: intermediate
makki-events
as-078
وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ
— البيِّنة 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.
Source: Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi; Lubab Al-Nuqul
Question: What were the circumstances of Surah Al-Bayyinah's revelation and what was the People of the Book's position?
Answer: They expected to believe before his mission — when he was sent they divided. The surah became proof against those who turned away.