يَـٰقَوْمِ لَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِىٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ 51
Translations
O my people, I do not ask you for it [i.e., my advice] any reward. My reward is only from the one who created me. Then will you not reason?
Transliteration
Ya qawmi la as'alukum alayhi ajran, in ajri illa ala allathi fatarani, afa la ta'qilun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Hud declares to his people that he seeks no monetary reward for delivering Allah's message to them, emphasizing that his only compensation comes from Allah who created him. This statement underscores the sincerity of the prophet's mission and challenges his people to use their reason to recognize the truth of his message. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this declaration serves as proof of the prophet's honesty and disinterestedness, distinguishing true prophets from false claimants who seek worldly gains.
Revelation Context
This verse is part of Hud's address to his people (the 'Ad nation) in Surah Hud, a Meccan chapter. It reflects the broader Quranic theme of prophets' selflessness and their commitment to calling people to monotheism without expecting material compensation. The context shows Hud responding to his people's rejection and mockery by clarifying his pure intentions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need' (Tirmidhi). More directly relevant is the principle established in numerous hadiths that prophets do not accept gifts or compensation, reflecting their absolute devotion to Allah's cause alone.
Themes
Key Lesson
True servants of Allah prioritize their duty to Him over worldly compensation, finding their reward in Allah's pleasure alone. This ayah teaches believers that sincere devotion to God's cause should never be motivated by material gain, and invites listeners to use their intellect to distinguish between genuine guidance and self-serving deception.
Related Ayahs
وَأُتْبِعُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِۦ لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ بِئْسَ ٱلرِّفْدُ ٱلْمَرْفُودُ
And they were followed in this [world] with a curse and on the Day of Resurrection. And wretched is the gift which is given.
قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنْهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ ۚ إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَـٰحَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِىٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ
He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him...? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allāh. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.
تِلْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهَآ إِلَيْكَ ۖ مَا كُنتَ تَعْلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلَا قَوْمُكَ مِن قَبْلِ هَـٰذَا ۖ فَٱصْبِرْ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلْعَـٰقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muḥammad]. You knew it not, neither you nor your people, before this. So be patient; indeed, the [best] outcome is for the righteous.
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ
And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.