Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:7
سُورَةُ البَيِّنَةِ · Medinan · Verse 7 of 8
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ
Translation
Those who believe and do good deeds are the best of creation.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
In this profound verse, Allah turns our attention from the fate of those who disbelieved to the elevated status of those who embrace faith and righteous actions. It is a powerful affirmation, directly from our Creator, about who truly holds the highest rank among all creation.
The Special Pronouncement
The verse begins with "إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟" (Indeed, those who believed). Instead of simply saying "the believers," the phrasing "Indeed, *those who* believed" carries a deeper emphasis. As Imam al-Razi explains, it points to a specific group that actively built the foundation of Islam when it was new and difficult, those who "sacrificed wealth and lives for its sake." This isn't just a label; it describes a profound and active commitment, an earnest belief that required effort and sacrifice. It invites us to consider if our own faith is equally active and dedicated.
Faith and Deeds Intertwined
Following this, Allah mentions "وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ" (and did righteous deeds). The conjunction "wa" (and) links belief with action, showing they are inseparable. True faith manifests in good deeds. Al-Razi further clarifies that "righteous deeds" (الصالحات) are diverse; no single person is expected to do all of them, but rather each individual fulfills their share according to their capacity and circumstances. This emphasizes that righteousness is a broad canvas for everyone.
The Best of Creation
The verse culminates with "أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ" (those are the best of creation). The use of "أُولَٰٓئِكَ" (those) as a demonstrative pronoun, followed by "هُمْ" (they are) as a separating pronoun, creates a strong, emphatic declaration. As Ibn Ashur and al-Jadwal highlight, this grammatical structure emphasizes that *these* people, and no others, hold this unique status.
The word "ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ" (al-Bariyya) itself holds rich meaning. It refers to all created beings, deriving from the root *bara'a*, meaning "to create" or "to originate," or perhaps from *bara*, meaning "dust" or "earth," pointing to humanity's origin. Regardless of the precise root, it broadly encompasses all creatures. Therefore, Allah is declaring that these believers, those who actively believe and do good, are the absolute "best" among *all* that He has brought into existence. This is a profound honor, elevating them above other forms of creation due to their conscious choice and effort in obeying their Lord.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:7 is discussed in 13 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:7 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.