أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَىٰهُمُ ٱقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 90
Translations
Those are the ones whom Allāh has guided, so from their guidance take an example. Say, "I ask of you for it [i.e., this message] no payment. It is not but a reminder for the worlds."
Transliteration
Ulaa'ika allatheena hadaa Allahu fabihudaahum iqtadih. Qul laa as'alukum 'alayhi ajran in huwa illa dhikraa lilal-'aalameen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to follow the guidance of the previous prophets mentioned in the preceding verses (Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon), as they were guided by Allah. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that the Prophet's path was established upon the same principles of monotheism and truth that guided all the messengers before him. The ayah further instructs the Prophet to clarify that he seeks no worldly reward for his message, as the Quran itself is merely a reminder for all humanity—highlighting the purely spiritual nature of his prophetic mission.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-An'am during a period when the Prophet faced intense opposition from Quraysh who accused him of seeking wealth or leadership through his message. The ayah comes after a comprehensive listing of noble prophets, emphasizing the continuity of divine guidance throughout history and refuting accusations that the Prophet's motivation was material gain.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those from whom you benefit and who benefit others' (related to the concept of guidance and its transmission). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized: 'I have not been sent except as a mercy to the worlds,' reflecting the universal nature of the reminder mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that the path of truth transcends individual personalities and is rooted in principles established by all of Allah's messengers throughout history. True religious conviction must be driven by sincere devotion to Allah's guidance rather than personal gain, and the primary purpose of faith is to serve as a reminder and guidance for all of humanity.
Related Ayahs
وَلِتَصْغَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ أَفْـِٔدَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلِيَرْضَوْهُ وَلِيَقْتَرِفُوا۟ مَا هُم مُّقْتَرِفُونَ
And [it is] so the hearts of those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will incline toward it [i.e., deceptive speech] and that they will be satisfied with it and that they will commit that which they are committing.
وَكَيْفَ أَخَافُ مَآ أَشْرَكْتُمْ وَلَا تَخَافُونَ أَنَّكُمْ أَشْرَكْتُم بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِۦ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَـٰنًا ۚ فَأَىُّ ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ أَحَقُّ بِٱلْأَمْنِ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And how should I fear what you associate while you do not fear that you have associated with Allāh that for which He has not sent down to you any authority? So which of the two parties has more right to security, if you should know?"
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muḥammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us].
قُل لَّآ أَجِدُ فِى مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُۥٓ إِلَّآ أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُۥ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ ۚ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Say, "I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine - for indeed, it is impure - or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."