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
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَـٰمِلٌ ۖ سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ كَـٰذِبٌ ۖ وَٱرْتَقِبُوٓا۟ إِنِّى مَعَكُمْ رَقِيبٌ
And O my people, work according to your position; indeed, I am working. You are going to know to whom will come a punishment that will disgrace him and who is a liar. So watch; indeed, I am with you a watcher, [awaiting the outcome]."
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ
And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority
وَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا شُعَيْبًا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَأَخَذَتِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دِيَـٰرِهِمْ جَـٰثِمِينَ
And when Our command came, We saved Shuʿayb and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us. And the shriek seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرُونَ
Assuredly, it is they in the Hereafter who will be the greatest losers.