أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَىٰهُمُ ٱقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 90
Translations
Those are the ones whom Allāh has guided, so from their guidance take an example. Say, "I ask of you for it [i.e., this message] no payment. It is not but a reminder for the worlds."
Transliteration
Ulaa'ika allatheena hadaa Allahu fabihudaahum iqtadih. Qul laa as'alukum 'alayhi ajran in huwa illa dhikraa lilal-'aalameen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to follow the guidance of the previous prophets mentioned in the preceding verses (Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon), as they were guided by Allah. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that the Prophet's path was established upon the same principles of monotheism and truth that guided all the messengers before him. The ayah further instructs the Prophet to clarify that he seeks no worldly reward for his message, as the Quran itself is merely a reminder for all humanity—highlighting the purely spiritual nature of his prophetic mission.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-An'am during a period when the Prophet faced intense opposition from Quraysh who accused him of seeking wealth or leadership through his message. The ayah comes after a comprehensive listing of noble prophets, emphasizing the continuity of divine guidance throughout history and refuting accusations that the Prophet's motivation was material gain.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those from whom you benefit and who benefit others' (related to the concept of guidance and its transmission). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized: 'I have not been sent except as a mercy to the worlds,' reflecting the universal nature of the reminder mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that the path of truth transcends individual personalities and is rooted in principles established by all of Allah's messengers throughout history. True religious conviction must be driven by sincere devotion to Allah's guidance rather than personal gain, and the primary purpose of faith is to serve as a reminder and guidance for all of humanity.
Related Ayahs
وَكَذَٰلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لِّيَقُولُوٓا۟ أَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنۢ بَيْنِنَآ ۗ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
And thus We have tried some of them through others that they [i.e., the disbelievers] might say, "Is it these whom Allāh has favored among us?" Is not Allāh most knowing of those who are grateful?
قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ ٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Say, "Travel through the land; then observe how was the end of the deniers."
قُلْ أَنَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ كَٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَهْوَتْهُ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُۥٓ أَصْحَـٰبٌ يَدْعُونَهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَى ٱئْتِنَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۖ وَأُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Say, "Shall we invoke instead of Allāh that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allāh has guided us? [We would then be] like one whom the devils enticed [to wander] upon the earth confused, [while] he has companions inviting him to guidance, [calling], 'Come to us.'" Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allāh is the [only] guidance; and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.
۞ إِنَّمَا يَسْتَجِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ ۘ وَٱلْمَوْتَىٰ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
Only those who hear will respond. But the dead - Allāh will resurrect them; then to Him they will be returned.