إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ 143
Translations
Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger.
Transliteration
Innī lakum rasūlun amīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records the declaration of Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) to his people, asserting that he is a trustworthy messenger sent to them by Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that Hud's claim to trustworthiness (amanah) was crucial because his people were known for their arrogance and rejection; by establishing his credibility as a truthful, honest messenger, he appealed to their own recognition of his character before prophethood. The word 'amīn (trustworthy) carries the weight of his moral integrity and faithfulness in delivering Allah's message without alteration or personal agenda.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, a Meccan surah that recounts stories of various prophets and their calls to monotheism. Verse 143 specifically belongs to the narrative of Prophet Hud's message to the 'Ad people, establishing the pattern seen throughout the surah where each prophet begins by identifying himself as a trusted messenger before warning against idolatry and calling to the worship of Allah alone.
Related Hadiths
The concept of trustworthiness (amanah) is reflected in the hadith: 'There is no faith for one who has no trustworthiness, and there is no religion for one who does not keep covenants' (Musnad Ahmad). Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known as 'Al-Amin' (the Trustworthy One) even before his prophethood, as recorded in Sahih Bukhari.
Themes
Key Lesson
A messenger's or leader's primary credential is not eloquence or power, but trustworthiness and integrity in fulfilling their responsibility. For modern believers, this teaches that sincere counsel and truthful guidance are more persuasive than rhetoric, and that establishing one's honesty in small matters forms the foundation for being heard in greater matters.