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
وَجَآءَهُۥ قَوْمُهُۥ يُهْرَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَمِن قَبْلُ كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِى هُنَّ أَطْهَرُ لَكُمْ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخْزُونِ فِى ضَيْفِىٓ ۖ أَلَيْسَ مِنكُمْ رَجُلٌ رَّشِيدٌ
And his people came hastening to him, and before [this] they had been doing evil deeds. He said, "O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear Allāh and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?"
فَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ مَا نَرَىٰكَ إِلَّا بَشَرًا مِّثْلَنَا وَمَا نَرَىٰكَ ٱتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِىَ ٱلرَّأْىِ وَمَا نَرَىٰ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِن فَضْلٍۭ بَلْ نَظُنُّكُمْ كَـٰذِبِينَ
So the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, "We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [and] at first suggestion. And we do not see in you over us any merit; rather, we think you are liars."
أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ يَثْنُونَ صُدُورَهُمْ لِيَسْتَخْفُوا۟ مِنْهُ ۚ أَلَا حِينَ يَسْتَغْشُونَ ثِيَابَهُمْ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Unquestionably, they [i.e., the disbelievers] turn away their breasts to hide themselves from him. Unquestionably, [even] when they cover themselves in their clothing, He [i.e., Allāh] knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
قَالَ يَـٰنُوحُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَـٰلِحٍ ۖ فَلَا تَسْـَٔلْنِ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ
He said, "O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant."