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
وَكُلًّا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَ ۚ وَجَآءَكَ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَقُّ وَمَوْعِظَةٌ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ ۖ قُلْ إِنِ ٱفْتَرَيْتُهُۥ فَعَلَىَّ إِجْرَامِى وَأَنَا۠ بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُجْرِمُونَ
Or do they say [about Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)], "He invented it"? Say, "If I have invented it, then upon me is [the consequence of] my crime; but I am innocent of what [crimes] you commit."
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لَا تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
The Day it comes no soul will speak except by His permission. And among them will be the wretched and the prosperous.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
Who averted [people] from the way of Allāh and sought to make it [seem] deviant while they, concerning the Hereafter, were disbelievers.