Tafseer of The Evidence · Al-Bayyina · 98:4
Nor did those who were given the Scripture become divided until after there had come to them clear evidence.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
His statement: وَمَا تَفَرَّقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ إِلا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَةُ ("And those to whom the Book was given did not become divided until after the clear proof had come to them") (98:4). He says: the Jews and the Christians did not become divided concerning the matter of Muḥammad ﷺ, such that they denied him, until after the clear proof had come to them — that is to say: after the clear proof had come to these Jews and Christians. What is meant by this is: the clarification of the matter of Muḥammad, namely that he is a messenger by virtue of Allah having sent him to His creation. He says: when Allah sent him, they became divided concerning him, so that some of them denied him and some of them believed in him, whereas before he was sent they had not been divided concerning the fact that he is a prophet.
