وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 145
Translations
And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa mā as'alukum 'alayhi min ajrin, in ajrī illā 'alā Rabbi al-'ālamīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of Prophet Hud's message to his people, where he emphasizes that he seeks no material reward or compensation from them for delivering Allah's message. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this statement serves to establish the sincerity of the prophet's mission and refute the people's accusations that he was motivated by worldly gain. The phrase 'my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds' affirms that the prophet's sole reliance is upon Allah for recompense, both in this life and the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shu'ara is a Meccan chapter that presents the stories of multiple prophets addressing their nations. This particular ayah occurs within Prophet Hud's narrative (verses 123-140), where he calls his people to monotheism and warns them against idolatry. The context reflects the common pattern in which prophets were accused by their people of seeking personal wealth or status through their message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), which relates to the theme of sincere religious service. Additionally, the Prophet emphasized seeking reward only from Allah, stating: 'Whoever does a deed seeking the face of Allah alone, Allah will grant him its reward' (Sahih Muslim 1674).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true service to Allah requires complete detachment from worldly compensation and recognition, with unwavering reliance upon Allah as the ultimate source of reward. It serves as a timeless reminder that sincere devotion to faith is its own spiritual currency, and that believers should seek acknowledgment from Allah rather than from people.