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 88
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Qala ya qawmi araaytum in kuntu ala bayyinatin min rabbi wa razaqani minhu rizqan hasanan wa ma uridu an ukhalifakum ila ma anhaytakum anhu in uridu illa al-islaha ma istataatu wa ma tawfeeqi illa billah alayhi tawakkaltuwwa ilayhi aneeb
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Shu'ayb addresses his people, affirming that he stands upon clear evidence from his Lord and has been blessed with good provision, yet does not desire to contradict them by doing what he forbade them from. He clarifies his sole intention is reform (islah) to the best of his ability, while acknowledging that all success comes only from Allah, upon whom he relies and to whom he returns. This statement encapsulates Shu'ayb's sincere call and his rejection of accusations that he pursued personal gain or harbored hidden motives—he merely sought their well-being while maintaining complete trust in Allah's guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the account of Prophet Shu'ayb's message to the people of Madyan (Midian), who were known for fraudulent business practices and the rejection of divine guidance. Shu'ayb responds to their mockery and accusations by asserting his integrity and the purity of his intentions. The broader context of Surah Hud (a Meccan surah) presents multiple prophetic narratives emphasizing patience, conviction, and reliance on Allah despite opposition.
Related Hadiths
The concept of sincerity (ikhlas) in this ayah relates to the hadith: 'Actions are but by their intentions, and each person shall have what they intended' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the theme of tawakkul (reliance on Allah) echoes the hadith: 'Verily, Allah loves those who rely upon Him' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
Shu'ayb's declaration teaches believers that true da'wah and moral guidance must be accompanied by sincere intentions, personal integrity, and complete reliance on Allah rather than concern for worldly gain or acceptance. For modern readers, this emphasizes that all efforts toward good should be rooted in divine trust and humble acknowledgment that success belongs only to Allah, freeing one from anxiety about outcomes or others' judgments.
Related Ayahs
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا جَعَلْنَا عَـٰلِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهَا حِجَارَةً مِّن سِجِّيلٍ مَّنضُودٍ
So when Our command came, We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained upon them stones of layered hard clay, [which were]
وَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَا لُوطًا سِىٓءَ بِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًا وَقَالَ هَـٰذَا يَوْمٌ عَصِيبٌ
And when Our messengers, [the angels], came to Lot, he was anguished for them and felt for them great discomfort and said, "This is a trying day."
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰلُوطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَكَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مُصِيبُهَا مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ مَوْعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبْحُ ۚ أَلَيْسَ ٱلصُّبْحُ بِقَرِيبٍ
They [the angels] said, "O Lot, indeed we are messengers of your Lord; [therefore], they will never reach you. So set out with your family during a portion of the night and let not any among you look back - except your wife; indeed, she will be struck by that which strikes them. Indeed, their appointment is [for] the morning. Is not the morning near?"
إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ ۚ وَلِذَٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ ۗ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them. But the word of your Lord is to be fulfilled that, "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and men all together."