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 ذَهَبَ عَنْ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلرَّوْعُ وَجَآءَتْهُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ يُجَـٰدِلُنَا فِى قَوْمِ لُوطٍ
And when the fright had left Abraham and the good tidings had reached him, he began to argue [i.e., plead] with Us concerning the people of Lot.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ فَٱخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يُبْخَسُونَ
Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments - We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived.
أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ وَمِن قَبْلِهِۦ كِتَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۚ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ فَٱلنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُۥ ۚ فَلَا تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
So is one who [stands] upon a clear evidence from his Lord [like the aforementioned]? And a witness from Him follows it, and before it was the Scripture of Moses to lead and as mercy. Those [believers in the former revelations] believe in it [i.e., the Qur’ān]. But whoever disbelieves in it from the [various] factions - the Fire is his promised destination. So be not in doubt about it. Indeed, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the people do not believe.