Tafsir of Al-Bayyinah 98:1

Mentioning the Situation of the Disbelievers among the People of the Scripture and the Idolators

لم يكن الذين كفروا من أهل الكتاب والمشركين منفكين حتى تٲتيهم البينة

Those who disbelieve from among the People of the Scripture and idolators, were not going to leave until there came to them the Bayyinah. As for the People of the Scripture, they are the Jews and the Christians, and the idolators are the worshippers of idols and fire among the Arabs and the non-Arabs. Mujahid said, they are not going

منفكين

(to leave) "Meaning, they will not be finished until the truth becomes clear to them.'' Qatadah also said the same thing

حتى تٲتيهم البينة

until there came to them the Bayyinah. meaning, this Qur'an. This is why Allah says,

لم يكن الذين كفروا من أهل الكتاب والمشركين منفكين حتى تٲتيهم البينة

Those who disbelieve from among the People of the Scripture and idolators, were not going to leave until there came to them the Bayyinah. Then He explains what the Bayyinah is by His saying,

رسول من الله يتلو صحفا مطهرة